Increased prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students compared to medical students.

Some studies have demonstrated that physiotherapists have a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP). The association between physiotherapy students, who are potentially exposed to the same LBP occupational risks as graduates, and LBP has never been demonstrated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP. The study design includes a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire-based study was carried out with physiotherapy and medical students. LBP was measured as lifetime, 1-year and point prevalence. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to find the factors associated with LBP. Bivariate analyses were also performed to assess differences between LBP characteristics in the two courses. 77.9% of the students had LBP at some point in their lives, 66.8% in the last year and 14.4% of them reported they were suffering from LBP at the moment of answering the questionnaire. Physiotherapy students reported a higher prevalence of LBP when compared with the medical students in all measures. In the logistic regression model, physiotherapy students (A-OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.35-4.67; p = 0.003), and being exposed to the undergraduate study for more than four semesters (A-OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.43-4.55; p = 0.001) were independently associated with LBP. There were no differences between the courses concerning pain intensity and disability. As it was a cross-sectional study, we were not able to observe accurately if there is an increasing incidence of LBP during the course. Also, we did not intend to identify which activities in the course were associated with the development of LBP. This study clearly demonstrated an association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP. The length of course exposure is also associated with LBP.

Sleep disorders among undergraduate students in Southern Brazil.

PURPOSE: Sleep disorders are very common in the young, being a result of the typical lifestyle lived by young people or a sleep disease that requires assistance and treatment. Furthermore, according to previous findings, sleep alterations can favor the development of depressive mood disorder. This survey aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of sleep disorders in a young population sample and their association with depressive symptoms. METHODS: With a cross-sectional study design, self-administered questionnaires were applied to 1,180 undergraduate students. The Mini-Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to evaluate sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms, respectively. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, with the main findings being the presence of disrupted sleep (MSQ > 24), with an alpha error of 5%. The median point of the MSQ was 26 (P25-P75, 21-32 points). RESULTS: Sleep alterations were found in 59.6%. The prevalence of depression was 9.3% (n = 110), mild depression being identified in 5.9% (n = 62), moderate in 3.4% (n = 40), and severe in 0.7% (n = 8) of the students. In logistic regression, female gender (OR, 1.48; CI 95%, 1.09-2.01; P = 0.012) and being depressed (OR, 4.42; CI 95%, 2.30-8.50; P < 0.001) were independent factors for disrupted sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep alterations are prevalent complaints among young people, being present in nearly 60% of the students. Female gender and being depressed are independent factors for having some form of sleep disorder.