The presence and intensity of cervical pain and the number of painful regions significantly reduces the  health related quality of life in adolescents, as per the findings of a recent cross sectional study published in the 'SPINE',  An International Journal for the study of the spine.

A recent cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between back pain and Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL). These days the incidence of back pain and related issues are increasing not only among adults but also in youths. The information regarding HRQoL – back pain relation will help to provide new ways to manage and prevent chronic back pain.

For evaluating HRQoL – back pain association, 350 students with mean age 12.7 (±1.6) years from a school of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were selected. A personal digital assistant was used to record lifestyle,  sociodemographic and neck, thoracic, low back pain frequency and intensity data along with anthropometric measures. KIDSCREEN-27 was used to evaluate the HRQoL. The  HRQoL and back pain relationship was assessed through multiple linear regression.

The intensity noticed for low back, neck and the thoracic pain was 1.3, 2.3 and 2.0 respectively. The frequency observed for low back, neck and the thoracic pain was 13.1%,  34.3 and  27.1 respectively. The HRQoL of both men and women was inversely related to the severity and frequency of neck pain. A total of 21.7% students exhibited two to three painful sites. A strong inverse association was found between the number of painful sites and global HRQoL and domains. It is really a matter of concern that the intensity and of back pain and the number of painful regions were associated with lower HRQoL in adolescents.