On the other hand, when we refined our statistical analysis using univariate logistic regression, we observed fewer variables vs. low back pain associations in group NL, though associations with lower BMI, poor quality of life and variables linked with diffuse pain were corroborated.
After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the statistically significant associations that remained were a higher score for generalized or diffuse pain and a higher number of tender points. In other words, our results would suggest that young adults with chronic low back pain are those with a more perception of diffuse pain.
Patients with chronic diffuse pain, including those suffering from fibromyalgia, may present lumbar back pain as a symptom. Low back pain can be even an initial symptom of this condition in certain cases.
In conclusion, the present study found correlations between lower back pain in young adults and some possible risk factors, such as chronic pain, low quality of life and prior history of low back pain. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the associations with the chronic low back pain group that remained were a higher score for generalized or diffuse pain and a higher number of tender points. As this was a transversal sample, the results must be analyzed with care,as the ideal study type by which to identify chronic low back pain risk factors would be a prospective cohort study, like the one conducted by Mikkelsson et al.
However, we conducted a study involving a population that is seldom studied with regard to chronic low back pain, as most studies conducted on young adults focus on inflammatory diseases of the spine. Future longitudinal studies are required in order to evaluate nonspecific back pain in youth, approaching epidemiology, risk factors and chronification. Then it will be possible to devise more specific and therefore more efficient treatment and prevention strategies.