Study: Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain under-reported to healthcare providers

A new study has shown that pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is under-reported to healthcare providers (HCPs), and under-treated, even though treatment is usually effective. The study, which found that difficulty with daily mobility and a later stage of pregnancy increased the likelihood of patients informing their HCPs, is published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Women's Health.

Farah Hameed, MD, from Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and coauthors, reported that only 43% of 538 pregnant women who had lower back and pelvic girdle pain reported the pain to their HCP. Of those who reported lumbopelvic pain, 22% received treatment, of which 80% said that treatment was effective.

Healthcare providers treating pregnant patients should ask about lumbopelvic pain, and if the pain is disruptive to activities of daily living, sleep, or quality of life, should offer treatment."

Susan G. Kornstein, MD, Journal of Women's Health Editor-in-Chief, Executive Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for Women's Health, Richmond, VA.