Study suggests 'important role' for genes in back pain
A person's susceptibility to neck and back pain may be partly determined by their genetic makeup, new research suggests.
Four out of five people get back pain at some point during their lives and this can be caused by a number of factors, including sprains and strains, arthritis, bone problems or infection.
According to a study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, genes are likely to be another important contributor to this kind of pain.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark analysed the DNA of 15,328 individuals, all of whom were twins.
They compared various genetic and environmental factors that were shared by twins and concluded that approximately 38 per cent of lower back pain, 32 per cent of thoracic pain - affecting the spinal region between the top of the lower back and the bottom of the neck - and 39 per cent of neck pain could be attributed to an individual's genes.
Many spinal pain syndromes appear to have a common genetic basis, the researchers said, and female twins seem to have a higher likelihood of sharing genetic susceptibility with their siblings.
The team concluded that their findings "may indicate a common genetic basis for a high proportion of spinal pain".
Dr Jan Hartvigsen, a professor at the University of Southern Denmark, told Reuters Health: "So far, we have not - in spite of millions of dollars spent - been able to effectively prevent the most common forms of back and neck pain."
He added that the same genes appear to be in play, "regardless of where the pain is and, to some extent, regardless of the duration".
© Adfero Ltd
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