Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Low Back Pain in a Diverse U.S. Population: Insights From the All of Us Research Program.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of clinically diagnosed low back pain (LBP) and examine associated sociodemographic and clinical factors in a large, diverse national sample of U.S. adults using data from the All of Us Research Program.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of survey data, electronic health records, and physical measurements from the All of Us Research Program.

DATA SOURCES: All of Us Research Program database, including electronic health record diagnoses, participant surveys, and biometric data.

REVIEW OR ANALYSIS

METHODS

Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with LBP diagnosis. Independent variables included sex, race, ethnicity, BMI, income, education level, and marital status.

RESULTS

Among 183,714 participants, 49.7% had a clinical diagnosis of LBP. Female participants had significantly higher odds of LBP (OR 1.37) compared to males. Individuals identifying as Asian (OR 0.67), Black/African American (OR 0.75), and Hispanic (OR 0.88) had lower odds of LBP than White participants. Lower income and education levels, along with being married, were associated with higher odds of LBP.

CONCLUSIONS, AND NURSING PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study reveals that sociodemographic disparities play a critical role in the diagnosis of low back pain. Nurses should consider these disparities when assessing risk, planning care, and developing targeted interventions. Tailoring pain management strategies to reflect patients' social and demographic contexts can enhance outcomes and promote equity in care.