ABSTRACT
Low back pain (LBP) continues to represent the leading musculoskeletal disorder in the industrialized world (Marras, 2008). While LBP incident rates have been well correlated with the work environment in economically advantaged countries (NRC, 2001), far fewer efforts have studied the relationship between work and LBP in industrially developing countries (IDCs). One review of the literature reported that LBP rates vary by more than twofold between low-and high-income countries. In addition, within low-income countries, LBP rates were found to be higher among urban populations than among rural populations with an even larger disparity observed in particular worksites within cities (Volinn, 1997). This study suggested that LBP prevalence may be rising among industrially developing urban environments. While these fi ndings present some interesting suggestions, one must consider the fact that it may be extremely diffi cult to collect data on LBP rates in IDCs. Therefore, conclusions based upon potentially incomplete data must be interpreted with caution. Yet another study suggests that cross-cultural differences in the self-perceived dysfunction among LBP patients may explain the large differences in
reporting rates (Sanders et al., 1992). Regardless of the true rates of LBP in IDCs, it is clear that, worldwide, LBP continues to lead to functional disability, a reduction in the quality of life for the sufferer, as well as lost productivity and reduced work quality.
