Abstract

BACKGROUND-Various comorbidities may show positive association with CLBP including respiratory disorder, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, anemia, obesity and mental health conditions. AIMS &OBJECTIVES-1.To study the clinical and aetiological profile in patients with chronic low backache 2.To study the association of various comorbidities with chronic low backache with special reference to axial spondyloarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS-Present study was a prospective one. All cases with chronic low backache  >18 years were included as subjects. Those excluded were patients with acute lower backache, age < 18 years, lower backache due to trauma, congenital causes of lower backache, those with a history of spinal surgery and bed ridden patients. Disease activity of Axial Spondylitis was determined using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and the functional assessment was done using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). In addition to X-ray L-S spine, MRI L-S spine was done in all patients.  Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software, version 19.RESULTS-Mean age of participants in this study was 46.89 years. Male to Female ratio was 2:3.Comorbidities were Hypertension in 25 (25%) Diabetes 11 (11%) COPD 9 (9%), dyslipidaemia 12 (12% hypothyroidism 3(3%), anemia 3 (3%), Coronary artery disease in 7(7%), Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) 2 (2%), anxiety 4 (4%) and depression 2 (2%). 11 (11%) had axial spondyloarthritis, 5 (5%) osteoarthritis and 1 (1%) had rheumatoid arthritis. Axial Spondyloarthritis was significantly higher in males( P- value 0.025) and in age group less than 40 (<40 years) (P- value 0.002).There was significant association of anemia with axial spondyloarthritides(P-value 0.031). In patients with axialspondyloarthritis  was significant association of BASDAI(P- value-0.003),BASFI (P-value 0.001) and ASDAS( P -Value 0.009)with comorbidities. CONCLUSION- On the basis of our study we conclude that lower back pain is a multifactorial phenomenon.