ObjectivesSpinal pain predisposes patients to a more sedentary lifestyle, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities. There is little recent evidence of the current prevalence of spinal pain and associated risk factors in Wales. This analysis addresses this gap in knowledge.
ApproachThis retrospective e-cohort study used linked National Survey for Wales (NSW) data and Welsh Demographic Services data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. All years of the annual NSW data from 2016 to 2020 (N = 34,123) were used to determine the prevalence of spinal pain in Wales. The likelihood of developing spinal pain was quantified by multivariate regression cross-sectional analysis, adjusting for the presence of the same person in multiple years of the survey data. Predictors included socio-demographic and health status, including mental health and cardiovascular disease.
ResultsSpinal pain affected 5% of people who took part in the NSW. This analysis also shows that spinal pain disproportionally affects some sub-populations of Wales. Factors associated with a greater likelihood of spinal pain were cardiovascular disease, presence of at least one mental health condition, living in a more deprived area, and education level. This is especially pertinent as the burden of cardiovascular risk is disproportionately elevated in the Welsh population and Wales represents a distinctive demographic, characterised by geographical constraints and low socio-economic status. These factors will be presented and discussed in detail.
ConclusionThe prevalence of spinal pain and associated risk factors in Wales was quantified. This work will help inform public health action to encourage interventional and prevention strategies to improve the quality of life for those suffering with spinal pain across Wales.
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Background: In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) posted reports claiming that chiropractic care can impact the immune system. These claims clash with recommendations from the World Health Organization and World Federation of Chiropractic. We discuss the scientific validity of the claims made in these ICA reports. Main body: We reviewed the two reports posted by the ICA on their website on March 20 and March 28, 2020. We explored the method used to develop the claim that chiropractic adjustments impact the immune system and discuss the scientific merit of that claim. We provide a response to the ICA reports and explain why this claim lacks scientific credibility and is dangerous to the public. More than 150 researchers from 11 countries reviewed and endorsed our response. Conclusion: In their reports, the ICA provided no valid clinical scientific evidence that chiropractic care can impact the immune system. We call on regulatory authorities and professional leaders to take robust political and regulatory action against those claiming that chiropractic adjustments have a clinical impact on the immune system.