Prevalence of chronic pain in different regions of the spine and association with biopsychosocial factors in university students: a cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17267/2238-2704rpf.2026.e6508Keywords:
Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, Chronic Pain, Models, Biopsychosocial, Cross-Sectional StudiesAbstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the increase in studies on chronic back pain, there is still limited research that simultaneously evaluates different vertebral regions from a biopsychosocial perspective in university students, and an integrated approach is needed to guide preventive strategies in this population. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of chronic pain in different regions of the spine and its association with biopsychosocial factors in university students. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and analytical research with 358 university students, including adults (18 and 59 years old), regardless of gender, enrolled in undergraduate courses in the areas of health and technology of two higher education institutions in the Northeast of Brazil, and the data were collected through an online questionnaire containing instruments: socioeconomic questionnaire, general health assessment, lifestyle, Self-Report Questionnaire, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square test and logistic regression using the stepwise forward method. RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 22 years (±4.5), and 57.5% were female. The prevalence of neck pain was 69.0%, higher than lumbar pain (55.3%). Chronic neck pain was associated with suspected common mental disorder (CMD) (OR=2.38; p=0.001), and low back pain with CMD (OR=1.66; p=0.038) and being physically active (OR=2.08; p=0.017). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of chronic back pain, especially in the cervical region. Back pain was significantly associated with psychosocial factors and higher levels of physical activity, emphasizing the importance of addressing these factors in preventive interventions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Francisco Valter Miranda Silva, Ana Valeska Siebra e Silva, Amanda de Oliveira Toledo, Shamyr Sulyvan de Castro, Daniela Gardano Bucharles Mont'Alverne, Lanna Rafaela do Nascimento Macedo, Paula Pessoa de Brito Nunes, Ana Paula Vasconcellos Abdon
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
