Risk of backache during premenstrual syndrome and its association with behavior changes among female medical students in Islamabad, Pakistan
Risk of backache during premenstrual syndrome among female medical students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52442/jrmi.v12i3.985Keywords:
Backache, Behavior Rating Scale, Medical Students, Premenstrual SyndromeAbstract
Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome is the integration of both physical as well as behavioral symptoms that take place before a woman’s period usually after the period of ovulation and ends with menstruation.
Objective: To evaluate the risk of low backache during premenstrual syndrome and its association with behavior changes among female medical students.
Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 235 female MBBS students aged 18–24 years at Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Pakistan, between November 2024 and January 2025. The students’ experience with backache and behavioral changes with premenstrual syndrome were analyzed. Low backache risk was stratified using the STarT Back Tool, and behavioral disruptions were evaluated using an adapted Behavior Rating Scale (BRS). Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman rank correlation (ρ).
Results: Mean age of the participants was 21.43±1.81 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.54±2.12 kg/m2. High risk of backache during PMS was identified in 77 (32.8%) students, medium risk in 69 (29.3%), and low risk in 89 (37.9%). On the BRS, 165 (70.2%) students reported severe daily behavioral disruption ('bad days'). Mean BRS scores differed significantly across STarT risk categories (Low: 3.84±0.52 vs. High: 4.88±0.33; p=0.0001). A significant positive correlation was observed between backache risk scores and behavioral disruption (ρ=0.64, p=0.0001).
Conclusion: Premenstrual low backache risk demonstrates a significant positive association with daily behavioral disruption among female medical students, with nearly one-third of students exhibiting elevated backache risk alongside frequent behavioral impairment.
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