Doctors linked back pain in women with increased mortality
Experts at Boston Medical Center have linked persistent back pain in women with an increased risk of death. Scientists published their research in the Journal of General Internal Medicine .
The authors analyzed 11 studies in which more than 80 thousand women of middle and older age took part. Scientists noticed that patients with persistent back pain had a much higher risk of death than those who did not experience such pain. Moreover, moderate pain had little effect on life expectancy, while severe pain carried a significantly greater risk of death. It is also noted that such a relationship was not observed in men.
Researchers believe that the risk of mortality is increased because pain leads to decreased mobility of patients. What's more, pain can lead to more serious injuries that can be fatal.
Doctors advised to pay more attention to patients' complaints of back pain. In their opinion, a timely fight against this ailment can significantly increase life expectancy.
Scientists have previously warned that back pain could be one of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
