The relationship between back pain and school bag use: A cross-sectional study of 5318 Italian students

Abstract Background Context Back pain at a young age is considered to be predictive of chronicity. Several studies have investigated the relationship between the use of a schoolbag and back pain, though some aspects are still unclear. Purpose The aims of this study were to evaluate back pain due to schoolbag use in terms of : a) prevalence and intensity, b) differences between males and females, and c) predisposing factors. Study Design This is a cross-sectional study. Patient Sample 5318 healthy pupils aged 6 to 19 years (classified according to three age groups: children, younger adolescents and older adolescents) Outcome Measures Schoolbag-related pain was assessed by means of an ad-hoc questionnaire. The intensity of pain was assessed using the Wong scale. Methods Subjects underwent a face-to-face interview using an ad hoc questionnaire. The intensity of pain was assessed using the Wong scale. On the basis of the prevalence and intensity of back pain, we divided our population in two groups: a) no/mild pain group and, b) moderate/severe pain group. The “schoolbag load” (ratio between schoolbag and pupil weight multiplied by 100) was calculated for each subject. Results More than 60% of the subjects reported pain. Although the schoolbag load decreased from children to young and older adolescents, schoolbag-related pain significantly increased (p