Frequency of Spondylolisthesis among Patients of Chronic Low Back Pain in Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of Spondylolisthesis among patients of Chronic Low Back Pain in Karachi Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2012 to December 2012. Patients were selectedfrom four Hospitals consisting of two private and two government tertiary care hospitals. A total of 313 patientsconfirmed through MRI as suffering from low back pain were selected through purposive sampling technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and associations were assessed using chi-square test. Results: Out of the total 313 participants, 211 were diagnosed as suffering from Spondylolisthesis. Middle agegroup had significant association with spondylolisthesis. Housewives 57% (21) were found to be associatedwith Grade 3 Spondylolisthesis. Weight had a significant effect on the preponderance of spondylolisthesis as46.9% (99) obese had these findings on their MRI. Duration of pain greater than 1 year had significant associationwith spondylolisthesis, 85.3% (180) participants had these findings on their MRI (P value 0.000). Similarlyradiating pain was found to be more prevalent in spondylolisthesis as 80.6% (170) participants with spondylolisthesis as their finding complained of radiating pain Conclusion: In our survey majority of patients suffering from chronic low back pain had Spondylolisthesis(67.4%). Future studies should focus on measures that specify the risk factors of Spondylolisthesis and targettowards its intervention.