Recent findings
Epidemiological studies continue to provide insights into
the prevalence of back pain and have identified many
individual, psychosocial, and occupational risk factors for
its onset. Psychological factors have an important role in
the transition from acute to chronic pain and related
disability. Recent advances show that there is a significant
genetic effect on severe low back pain in the community.
Data emerging from candidate gene studies show an
association between lumbar disc disease and mutations of
genes encoding the a-2 and a-3 subunits of collagen IX.
Summary
Back pain is among the most common conditions for which
patients seek medical care. Interventions based on
behavioral and cognitive principles and exercise programs
are effective in improving disability in chronic back pain.
Although progress has been made in understanding the
role of genetic mutations in disorders such as lumbar disc
disease, further investigation of the interaction between
genetic and environmental factors such as physical stress
is needed.