Back problems have considerable impact on both the sufferer and the community.
People aged 15–64 with back problems were less likely to be employed full-time than people without back problems, according to the 2009 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC). They were also 1.3 times more likely not to be in the labour force at all.
As a person's back problems progress their capacity to work can be affected, leading to employment restrictions. In 2009, 80% of people with back problems and disability had an employment restriction. People with back problems and disability were 1.1 times more likely to be restricted in the hours of work they could do. Of this group, 36% reported being permanently unable to work.
Using the 'burden of disease' method, the impact of back problems can be quantified in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). DALYs describe the number of years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD) and premature death (YLL). One DALY represents one lost year of healthy life.
In Australia in 2003, back problems were the 18th leading cause of male disease burden and the 15th cause of female disease burden.
99% of DALYs due to back problems arose from years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD), and 0.6% arose from years of life lost due to premature death (YLL).
Burden of disease due to back problems, 2003
| Condition |
Years lived with disability (YLD) |
|
Years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) |
|
Number of years of healthy life lost due to disability or premature death (DALYs) |
| Number |
Per cent |
Number |
Per cent |
Number |
Per cent |
| Back problems |
29,484 |
99.4 |
|
174 |
0.6 |
|
29,658 |
100.0 |
Source: AIHW, 2007: Burden of disease and injury in Australia 2003, Cat. no. PHE82. Canberra: AIHW.
Source Tables
Table 1: Employment restrictions in people with and without back problems, 2009
|
With back problems |
|
Without back problems |
Rate ratio |
| Number |
Per cent |
Number |
Per cent |
| Employment restrictions |
314,395 |
79.5 |
|
865,563 |
66.6 |
1.2* |
| Permanently unable to work (a) |
112,034 |
35.6 |
|
374,635 |
43.3 |
0.8* |
| Restricted in number of hours |
111,992 |
35.6 |
|
268,908 |
31.1 |
1.1* |
| Need time off work |
59,423 |
18.9 |
|
155,937 |
18.0 |
1.0* |
| No employment restrictions |
81,205 |
20.5 |
|
434,945 |
33.4 |
0.6 |
| Total persons |
395,600 |
100.0 |
|
1,300,508 |
100.0 |
|
* Statistically significant.
Note: People aged 15–64 years.
(a) The total per cent for specific employment restrictions do not add up to 100%, as respondents may report more than one type of employment restriction.
Source: AIHW analysis of ABS 2009 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers.
Table 2: Workforce status of people with and without back problems, 2009
|
With back problems |
|
Without back problems |
Rate ratio |
| Number |
Per cent |
Number |
Per cent |
| Employed working full-time |
374,963 |
34.8 |
|
2,644,999 |
47.5 |
0.7* |
| Employed working part-time |
181,232 |
16.8 |
|
793,626 |
14.2 |
1.1* |
| Looking for work |
29,410 |
2.7 |
|
118,861 |
2.1 |
1.3* |
| Not in the workforce |
492,025 |
45.7 |
|
2,012,999 |
36.1 |
1.3* |
| Total persons |
1,077,630 |
100.0 |
|
5,570,485 |
100.0 |
|
* Statistically significant.
Note: People aged 15–64 years.
Source: AIHW analysis of ABS 2009 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers.