Background: Chronic low back pain associated with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine significantly impairs individuals’ quality of life. This study aimed to determine the clinical and radiological status of women with chronic low back pain in the peri-urban area of Kisangani who carried heavy loads on their backs, in order to assess the health issues they faced. Material and Methods: This was a case-control study involving women aged 15 to 49, including 76 cases. Data collection was retrospective. Statistical inferences were drawn using Pearson’s chi-square (χ2), Student’s t-test (TS), and Fisher’s exact test (TF). Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for dichotomous variables, with a significance threshold of 5%. Variables showing a bivariate association were included in a multivariate regression model using a stepwise forward selection approach. Results: Medical, gynecological, and surgical issues among the cases included inguinal hernia (91%, p 0.007), pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (94%, p 0.001), a history of ≥3 abortions (76%, p 0.001), and cesarean section (82%, p 0.001), alongside knee pain (82%, p 0.001) and hip pain (82%, p 0.001). Degenerative spinal lesions consisted of Grade II anterolisthesis (67%, p 0.001), simple disc degeneration (78%, p 0.001), multilevel disc degeneration (75%, p 0.001), simple lumbar osteoarthritis (79%, p 0.001), and multilevel lumbar osteoarthritis (75%, p 0.001). These lesions were located between L3 and S1 (66%, p 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that, clinically, the cases presented with medical, gynecological, and surgical issues—including inguinal hernia, pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and a history of more than three abortions or a Cesarean section—associated with hip and knee pain. The predominant degenerative spinal lesions were Grade II anterolisthesis, as well as single-level and multilevel discopathy and lumbar spondylosis, located between L3 and S1.
References
[1]
Dave, B.R., Krishnan, A., Rai, R.R., Degulmadi, D. and Mayi, S. (2021) The Effect of Head Loading on Cervical Spine in Manual Laborers. AsianSpineJournal, 15, 17-22. https://doi.org/10.31616/asj.2019.0221
[2]
Assadi, S.N. (2022) Carrying Load and Related Health Disorders and Disability. IndianJournalofOccupationalandEnvironmentalMedicine, 26, 129-132. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_352_21
[3]
Chiu, H.Y., Su, I.W., Yu, Y.W., Chen, Y.C., Chen, C.C. and Lin, J.H. (2023) Soreness or Sng: A Common Symptom with Differential Clinical Impact from Pain in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Diseases. BMJOpenQuality, 12, e001982. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001982
[4]
Lindsey, T. and Dydyk, A.M. (2023) Spinal Osteoarthritis. StatPearls.
[5]
Sharma, R., Kamboj, K. and Bhardwaj, J. (2019) Gender Response and Safe Carrying Load Limit for Sugar Industry Workers. InternationalJournalofOccupationalSafetyandErgonomics, 25, 51-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2018.1503401
[6]
Custers, P., Van de Kelft, E., Eeckhaut, B., Sabbe, W., Hofman, A., Debuysscher, A., et al. (2024) Clinical Examination, Diagnosis, and Conservative Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review. Life, 14, Article 1090. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14091090
[7]
Sarzi-Puttini, P., Atzeni, F., Fumagalli, M., Capsoni, F. and Carrabba, M. (2005) Osteoarthritis of the Spine. SeminarsinArthritisandRheumatism, 34, 38-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2004.03.011
[8]
Gellhorn, A.C., Katz, J.N. and Suri, P. (2013) Osteoarthritis of the Spine: The Facet Joints. NatureReviewsRheumatology, 9, 216-224. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.199
[9]
Liyew, W.A. (2020) Clinical Presentations of Lumbar Disc Degeneration and Lumbosacral Nerve Lesions. InternationalJournalofRheumatology, 2020, Article ID: 2919625. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2919625
[10]
David, G., Ciurea, A.V., Iencean, S.M. and Mohan, A. (2010) Angiogenèse dans la dégénérescence du disque intervertébral lombaire. Journal de la médecine et de la vie, 3, 154-161.
[11]
Margetis, K. and Gillis, C.C. (2025) Spondylolisthesis. StatPearls.
[12]
Mohile, N.V., Kuczmarski, A.S., Lee, D., Warburton, C., Rakoczy, K. and Butler, A.J. (2022) Spondylolysis and Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: A Guide to Diagnosis and Management. TheJournaloftheAmericanBoardofFamilyMedicine, 35, 1204-1216. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2022.220130r1
[13]
An, C.H., Lee, J.S., Jang, J.S. and Choi, H.C. (2022) Part Affinity Fields and Coordconv for Detecting Landmarks of Lumbar Vertebrae and Sacrum in X-Ray Images. Sensors, 22, Article 8628. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22228628
[14]
Nocetti, D., Villalobos, K., Marín, N., Monardes, M., Tapia, B., Toledo, M.I., et al. (2023) Radiation Dose Reduction and Image Quality Evaluation for Lateral Lumbar Spine Projection. Heliyon, 9, e19509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19509
[15]
Chen, X., Deng, Q., Wang, Q., Liu, X., Chen, L., Liu, J., et al. (2022) Image Quality Control in Lumbar Spine Radiography Using Enhanced U-Net Neural Networks. FrontiersinPublicHealth, 10, Article 891766. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.891766
[16]
Kadota, J.L., McCoy, S.I., Bates, M.N., Mnyippembe, A., Njau, P.F., Prata, N., et al. (2020) The Impact of Heavy Load Carrying on Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability among Women in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania. AnnalsofGlobalHealth, 86, 17. https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2470
[17]
Dansou, H.P., Akplogan, B., Lawani, M.M. and Dedjan, A. (2010) Le port de charge cephalique et ses consequences sur le rachis lombraire des femmes beninoises en milieu rural. JournaldelaRechercheScientifiquedel’UniversitedeLome, 8. https://doi.org/10.4314/jrsul.v8i2.51927
[18]
Echarri, J.J. and Forriol, F. (2002) Effect of Axial Load on the Cervical Spine: A Study of Congolese Woodbearers. InternationalOrthopaedics, 26, 141-144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-002-0336-6
[19]
Jumah, K.B. and Nyame, P.K. (1994) Relationship between Load Carrying on the Head and Cervical Spondylosis in Ghanaians. West Africa Journal of Medicine, 13, 181-182.
[20]
Talona, L.R., Ntsambi, E., Basandja, L.E., Losimba, L.J., Amisi, K.R., Tshimbila, K.J.M.V., et al. (2025) Socio-Anthropometric Profile of Women with Chronic Low Back Pain in a Peri-Urban Environment in the City of Kisangani. OpenJournalofAppliedSciences, 15, 1529-1553. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojapps.2025.156106
[21]
Goode, A.P., Cleveland, R.J., George, S.Z., Schwartz, T.A., Kraus, V.B., Renner, J.B., et al. (2022) Predictors of Lumbar Spine Degeneration and Low Back Pain in the Community: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. ArthritisCare&Research, 74, 1659-1666. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24643
[22]
Motaung, T.G., Ellapen, T.J. and Paul, Y. (2022) The Consequence of Head-Loading on the Neuro-Musculoskeletal Health of the Ilembe District Youth of Kwazulu-Natal. AfricanJournalofDisability, 11, a1039. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v11i0.1039
[23]
Meierhofer, R., Tomberge, V.M.J., Inauen, J. and Shrestha, A. (2022) Water Carrying in Hills of Nepal-Associations with Women’s Musculoskeletal Disorders, Uterine Prolapse, and Spontaneous Abortions. PLOSONE, 17, e0269926. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269926
[24]
Lwanga, S.K., Lemeshow, S. and World Health Organization (1991) De?termination de la taille d’un échantillon dans les études sanome?triques: Manuel pratique. Organisation mondiale de la Sante?.
[25]
Chamoro, M., Heymans, M.W., Oei, E.H.G., Bierma-Zeinstra, S.M.A., Koes, B.W. and Chiarotto, A. (2024) Diagnostic Models to Predict Structural Spinal Osteoarthritis on Lumbar Radiographs in Older Adults with Back Pain: Development and Internal Validation. OsteoarthritisandCartilageOpen, 6, Article ID: 100506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100506
[26]
Chiarotto, A., Maxwell, L.J., Ostelo, R.W., Boers, M., Tugwell, P. and Terwee, C.B. (2019) Measurement Properties of Visual Analogue Scale, Numeric Rating Scale, and Pain Severity Subscale of the Brief Pain Inventory in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. TheJournalofPain, 20, 245-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2018.07.009
[27]
van den Berg, R., Jongbloed, L.M., Kuchuk, N.O., Roorda, L.D., Oostveen, J.C.M., Koes, B.W., et al. (2017) The Association between Self-Reported Low Back Pain and Radiographic Lumbar Disc Degeneration of the Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK) Study. Spine, 42, 1464-1471. https://doi.org/10.1097/brs.0000000000002228
[28]
Smeets, R., K?ke, A., Lin, C., Ferreira, M. and Demoulin, C. (2011) Measures of Function in Low Back Pain/Disorders: Low Back Pain Rating Scale (LBPRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation (PILE), Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS), and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). ArthritisCare&Research, 63, S158-S173. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.20542
[29]
Kuo, C.H., Martingano, D.J. and Mikes, B.A. (2025) Pelvic Organ Prolapse. StatPearls.
[30]
Bump, R.C., Mattiasson, A., B?, K., Brubaker, L.P., DeLancey, J.O.L., Klarskov, P., et al. (1996) The Standardization of Terminology of Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. AmericanJournalofObstetricsandGynecology, 175, 10-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9378(96)70243-0
[31]
Akter, F., Gartoulla, P., Oldroyd, J. and Islam, R.M. (2016) Prévalence et facteurs de risque du prolapsus symptomatique des organes pelviens dans le Bangladesh rural: étude transversale. Revueinternationaled’urogynécologie, 27, 1753-1759.
[32]
Farmer, C., Haas, R., Wallis, J., O’Connor, D. and Buchbinder, R. (2024) Are Clinically Unimportant Findings Qualified as Benign in Lumbar Spine Imaging Reports? A Content Analysis of Plain X-Ray, CT and MRI Reports. PLOSONE, 19, e0297911. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297911
[33]
Ta?y?ld?z, A.E. and ?nceo?lu, F. (2024) Classification of Osteophytes Occurring in the Lumbar Intervertebral Foramen. Tomography, 10, 618-631. https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography10040047
[34]
Lane, N.E., Nevitt, M.C., Genant, H.K. and Hochberg, M.C. (1993) Reliability of New Indices Radiographic Osteoarthritis of the Hand and Hip and Lumbar Disc Degeneration. The Journal of Rheumatology, 20, 1911-1918.
[35]
Akkawi, I. and Zmerly, H. (2000) Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Narrative Review. Acta Biomedica, 92, e2021313.
[36]
Agence Nationale d’Accréditation et d’Evaluation en Santé (ANAES) (2000) Diagnostic, prise en charge et suivi des malades atteints de lombalgie chronique. ANAES.
[37]
Chenot, J.F., Greitemann, B., Kladny, B., Petzke, F., Pfingsten, M. and Schorr, S.G. (2017) Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Deutsches?rzteblattInternational, 114, 883-890. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2017.0883
[38]
Nygaard, I.E. and Shaw, J.M. (2016) Physical Activity and the Pelvic Floor. AmericanJournalofObstetricsandGynecology, 214, 164-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2015.08.067
[39]
Padoa, A., Braga, A., Brecher, S., Fligelman, T., Mesiano, G. and Serati, M. (2025) Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives. JournalofClinicalMedicine, 14, Article 7313. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14207313
[40]
Koyuncu, A., Kadota, J.L., Mnyippembe, A., Njau, P.F., Sijali, T.R., McCoy, S.I., et al. (2021) Heavy Load Carrying and Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse among Women in Tanzania and Nepal: An Exploratory Study. InternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealth, 18, Article 1279. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031279
[41]
Masenga, G.G., Shayo, B.C. and Rasch, V. (2018) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: A Population Based Study in Tanzanian Rural Community. PLOSONE, 13, e0195910. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195910
[42]
Tinelli, A., Malvasi, A., Rahimi, S., Negro, R., Vergara, D., Martignago, R., et al. (2010) Age-Related Pelvic Floor Modifications and Prolapse Risk Factors in Postmenopausal Women. Menopause, 17, 204-212. https://doi.org/10.1097/gme.0b013e3181b0c2ae
[43]
Gufue, Z.H., Hailu, H.T., Atsbaha, A.H., Kiros, B.M., Tsegay, E.W. and Mengesha, M.B. (2024) Lived Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors during Pregnancy and Who Had Spontaneous Abortions: A Phenomenological Study to Inform Survivor-Centered Strategies. Women’sHealth, 20. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241305069
[44]
Wang, B., Li, Q., Li, C. and Li, S. (2025) The Trends of Changes in Monitoring Indicators Related to the Risk of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion. Medicine, 104, e43604. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000043604
[45]
Alberman, E. (1992) Spontaneous Abortions: Epidemiology. In: Stabile, I., Grudzinskas, J.G. and Chard, T., Eds., Spontaneous Abortion, Springer, 9-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1918-0_2
[46]
MacDonald, L.A., Waters, T.R., Napolitano, P.G., Goddard, D.E., Ryan, M.A., Nielsen, P., et al. (2013) Clinical Guidelines for Occupational Lifting in Pregnancy: Evidence Summary and Provisional Recommendations. AmericanJournalofObstetricsandGynecology, 209, 80-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.047
[47]
Juhl, M., Strandberg-Larsen, K., Larsen, P.S., Andersen, P.K., Svendsen, S.W., Bonde, J.P., et al. (2012) Occupational Lifting during Pregnancy and Risk of Fetal Death in a Large National Cohort Study. ScandinavianJournalofWork, Environment&Health, 39, 335-342. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3335
[48]
Islamiah Zahroh, R., Bohren, M. and Pilar Betrán, A. (2025) Responses to Increased Rates of Caesarean Births. BulletinoftheWorldHealthOrganization, 103, 799-806. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.25.293141
[49]
Wilson, A., Kaur, H., Hassan, A.A., Mbwele, B., Sobhy, S., Calvo, G.R., et al. (2025) Variations in Caesarean Section Outcome Reporting in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. EuropeanJournalofObstetrics&GynecologyandReproductiveBiology, 307, 61-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.01.039
[50]
Gialdini, C., Chamillard, M., Diaz, V., Pasquale, J., Thangaratinam, S., Abalos, E., et al. (2024) Evidence-Based Surgical Procedures to Optimize Caesarean Outcomes: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. eClinicalMedicine, 72, Article ID: 102632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102632
[51]
Ologunde, R., Vogel, J.P., Cherian, M.N., Sbaiti, M., Merialdi, M. and Yeats, J. (2014) Assessment of Cesarean Delivery Availability in 26 Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study. AmericanJournalofObstetricsandGynecology, 211, 504.e1-504.e12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2014.05.022
[52]
Bettaieb, H., Ben Ayed, H., Boudokhane, M., Rim, B., Wiem, H., Dougui, M., et al. (2023) Facteurs associés à la survenue d’une lombalgie en post-partum. RevueduRhumatisme, 90, A297-A298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhum.2023.10.462
[53]
Knapik, J.J. and Reynolds, K. (2015) Load Carriage-Related Injury Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Prevention. In: Gefen, A. and Epstein, Y., Eds., The Mechanobiology and Mechanophysiology of Military-Related Injuries, Springer, 107-137. https://doi.org/10.1007/8415_2014_182
[54]
Wang, R., Ru, N., Liu, Q., Zhang, F., Wu, Y., Guo, C., et al. (2024) Risk Factors Analysis and Predictive Model of Degree I Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis. JournalofOrthopaedicSurgeryandResearch, 19, Article No. 831. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05346-y
[55]
Farshad, M., Cornaz, F., Spirig, J.M., Sutter, R., Farshad-Amacker, N.A. and Widmer, J. (2022) Spondylophyte Classification Based on Biomechanical Effects on Segmental Stiffness. TheSpineJournal, 22, 1903-1912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2022.06.001
[56]
Ramirez, V.J., Bazrgari, B., Gao, F. and Samaan, M. (2022) Low Back Biomechanics during Repetitive Deadlifts: A Narrative Review. IISETransactionsonOccupationalErgonomicsandHumanFactors, 10, 34-46. https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2021.2015642
[57]
WHO Scientific Group on the Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions at the Start of the New Millennium (2003) The Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions at the Start of the New Millennium: Report of a WHO Scientific Group (No. 919). World Health Organization.
[58]
Hauser, R.A., Matias, D., Woznica, D., Rawlings, B. and Woldin, B.A. (2022) Lumbar Instability as an Etiology of Low Back Pain and Its Treatment by Prolotherapy: A Review. JournalofBackandMusculoskeletalRehabilitation, 35, 701-712. https://doi.org/10.3233/bmr-210097
[59]
Sobczyk, M.K., Faber, B.G., Southam, L., Frysz, M., Hartley, A., Zeggini, E., et al. (2024) Causal Relationships between Anthropometric Traits, Bone Mineral Density, Osteoarthritis and Spinal Stenosis: A Mendelian Randomisation Investigation. OsteoarthritisandCartilage, 32, 719-729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2023.12.003
[60]
Kechagias, V.A. and Grivas, T.B. (2024) Hip-Spine and Knee-Spine Syndrome: Is Low Back Pain Improved after Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty? Cureus, 16, e57765. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57765
Kouyoumdjian, P. (2024) How the Hip-Spine Relationship Influences Total Hip Arthroplasty. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, 110, Article ID: 103773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otsr.2023.103773
[63]
Oshima, Y., Watanabe, N., Takeoka, T., Kajikawa, Y., Yotsumoto, T. and Majima, T. (2025) Preoperative Abnormal Posture Improves after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Knee-Hip-Spine Syndrome. TheJournalofArthroplasty, 40, 416-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2024.08.028
[64]
Govil, G., Tomar, L. and Dhawan, P. (2022) Knee-Spine Syndrome: Management Dilemma When Knee Osteoarthritis Coexists with Spine Degeneration. Cureus, 14, e24939. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.24939
[65]
Musa, G., Barrientos Castillo, R.E., Slabov, M.V., Chirwa, K., Chmutin, G.E., Ramirez, M.D.J.E., et al. (2022) Degenerative Grade 3 Spondylolisthesis Management: A Case Report and Literature Review. Cureus, 14, e29374. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29374
[66]
Koslosky, E. and Gendelberg, D. (2020) Classification in Brief: The Meyerding Classification System of Spondylolisthesis. ClinicalOrthopaedics&RelatedResearch, 478, 1125-1130. https://doi.org/10.1097/corr.0000000000001153
[67]
Lin, L.H., Lin, T.Y., Chang, K.V., Wu, W.T. and ?z?akar, L. (2024) Effectiveness of Lumbar Segmental Stabilization Exercises in Managing Disability and Pain Intensity among Patients with Lumbar Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Spine, 49, 1512-1520. https://doi.org/10.1097/brs.0000000000004989