A systematic review of the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, back and low back pain in people with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Purpose: To review and summarise the prevalence of chronic back pain (CBP), chronic low back pain (CLBP) and chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSKP) in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and evaluate how pain is assessed. Method: A systematic literature review between 1990 and 2012 in English language journals. Twelve databases were searched including CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, PubMed and Science direct. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four reported on CMSKP, four on CBP and only two on CLBP. Among people with SCI and pain, the prevalence of CMSKP was 49% (95% CI: 44–55%), CBP was 47% (95% CI: 43–50%) and CLBP was 49% (95% CI: 44–55%). There were variations in both the pain classification systems used and the data collected. The type of pain reported in the back and low back areas could not be established due to insufficient evidence. Conclusion: The main finding is that the prevalence of CMSKP, and more particularly CBP and CLBP are not sufficiently reported in SCI literature.