Table 1. Studies of Back Pain and Associated Disability in the United States: 1-Year Prevalence

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(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Study Study Population Definition of Back Pain Back Pain Prevalence Rate (Percentage of Total Population) Percentage of Population Making Physician Visits (MD, DO, DC) Percentage of Covered Labor Force Filing Claims for Back Sprain/Strain

Carey, Evans, & Hadler, et al., 1996 Random sample of North Carolina population over age 21 Activity limitation between 1 day and 3 months 7.6% 2.8%  
Rosecrance, Cook, & Zimmerman, 1996 Construction workers in pipe trades Job-related low back pain, ache 45.0% 2.9%  
Taylor & Curran, 1985 Random sample of U.S. population over age 18 Back pain lasting at least 1 day 56.0%    
Deyo & Tsui-Wu, 1987 Random sample of U.S. population age 25 or over Back pain most days for at least 2 weeks 10.3%    
Guo, Tanaka, & Cameron, 1995 Random sample of U.S. workers over age 18 Back pain lasting at least 1 week 18.0%    
Volinn, Van Koevering, & Loeser, 1991 Eligible workers in Washington state       1.9%
Klein, Jensen, & Sanderson, 1984 Eligible workers in 26 states       0.75%

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