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Review Article
Online Published: 21 Apr 2026
 


Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review

Nagah Mohamed Aboulfetoh Kassem, Suliman Mansour Aldhalaan, Ruwaynah Jameel Alhazmi, Ghala Abdulrahman S. Alzahrani, Basmah Abdullah D. Alshehri, Ahad Mohammed Namnqani, Renad Hashem A. Alqurashi, Shahad Hamod Mobarki, Mohammed Abdullah Alnassir, Rafaa Jameel A. Alhazmi, Saud Saeed N. Alasmari.


Abstract
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions worldwide and the leading cause of years lived with disability. In Saudi Arabia, LBP represents a substantial public health burden, particularly among working-age adults and occupational groups, yet the evidence regarding its prevalence and management remains fragmented. Aim: This systematic review aimed to synthesize published evidence on the prevalence of LBP in Saudi Arabia and to qualitatively examine reported approaches to its management within the Saudi healthcare system. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies conducted in Saudi Arabia reporting LBP prevalence and/or management-related outcomes were identified through database searching and manual reference screening. Eligible studies were screened in two stages and synthesized qualitatively due to heterogeneity in populations, definitions, and outcome measures. Results: Nine studies met inclusion criteria. Reported LBP prevalence ranged from 46.2% in community-based samples to over 70% among healthcare workers. Occupational groups, particularly teachers and healthcare professionals, consistently demonstrated higher prevalence and functional impact. Management-related studies highlighted gaps in standardized care pathways, underutilization of primary care and physiotherapy, variable adherence to clinical guidelines, and mixed alignment between patient preferences and evidence-based recommendations. Conclusion: Low back pain is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia and is associated with significant functional and healthcare burden. Evidence suggests a need for improved implementation of guideline-based, primary-care–centered management pathways and greater integration of physiotherapy services to optimize outcomes and reduce unnecessary escalation of care.

Key words: Prevalence; Management; Low Back Pain; Saudi Arabia; Systematic Review


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Kassem NMA, Aldhalaan SM, Alhazmi RJ, Alzahrani GAS, Alshehri BAD, Namnqani AM, Alqurashi RHA, Mobarki SH, Alnassir MA, Alhazmi RJA, Alasmari SSN. Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2026; 10(5): 1414-1418. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487

Web Style

Kassem NMA, Aldhalaan SM, Alhazmi RJ, Alzahrani GAS, Alshehri BAD, Namnqani AM, Alqurashi RHA, Mobarki SH, Alnassir MA, Alhazmi RJA, Alasmari SSN. Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=308792 [Access: May 07, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Kassem NMA, Aldhalaan SM, Alhazmi RJ, Alzahrani GAS, Alshehri BAD, Namnqani AM, Alqurashi RHA, Mobarki SH, Alnassir MA, Alhazmi RJA, Alasmari SSN. Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2026; 10(5): 1414-1418. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Kassem NMA, Aldhalaan SM, Alhazmi RJ, Alzahrani GAS, Alshehri BAD, Namnqani AM, Alqurashi RHA, Mobarki SH, Alnassir MA, Alhazmi RJA, Alasmari SSN. Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. IJMDC. (2026), [cited May 07, 2026]; 10(5): 1414-1418. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487


Harvard Style

Kassem, N. M. A., Aldhalaan, . S. M., Alhazmi, . R. J., Alzahrani, . G. A. S., Alshehri, . B. A. D., Namnqani, . A. M., Alqurashi, . R. H. A., Mobarki, . S. H., Alnassir, . M. A., Alhazmi, . R. J. A. & Alasmari, . S. S. N. (2026) Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. IJMDC, 10 (5), 1414-1418. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487


Turabian Style

Kassem, Nagah Mohamed Aboulfetoh, Suliman Mansour Aldhalaan, Ruwaynah Jameel Alhazmi, Ghala Abdulrahman S. Alzahrani, Basmah Abdullah D. Alshehri, Ahad Mohammed Namnqani, Renad Hashem A. Alqurashi, Shahad Hamod Mobarki, Mohammed Abdullah Alnassir, Rafaa Jameel A. Alhazmi, and Saud Saeed N. Alasmari. 2026. Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (5), 1414-1418. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487


Chicago Style

Kassem, Nagah Mohamed Aboulfetoh, Suliman Mansour Aldhalaan, Ruwaynah Jameel Alhazmi, Ghala Abdulrahman S. Alzahrani, Basmah Abdullah D. Alshehri, Ahad Mohammed Namnqani, Renad Hashem A. Alqurashi, Shahad Hamod Mobarki, Mohammed Abdullah Alnassir, Rafaa Jameel A. Alhazmi, and Saud Saeed N. Alasmari. "Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 1414-1418. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Kassem, Nagah Mohamed Aboulfetoh, Suliman Mansour Aldhalaan, Ruwaynah Jameel Alhazmi, Ghala Abdulrahman S. Alzahrani, Basmah Abdullah D. Alshehri, Ahad Mohammed Namnqani, Renad Hashem A. Alqurashi, Shahad Hamod Mobarki, Mohammed Abdullah Alnassir, Rafaa Jameel A. Alhazmi, and Saud Saeed N. Alasmari. "Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.5 (2026), 1414-1418. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Kassem, N. M. A., Aldhalaan, . S. M., Alhazmi, . R. J., Alzahrani, . G. A. S., Alshehri, . B. A. D., Namnqani, . A. M., Alqurashi, . R. H. A., Mobarki, . S. H., Alnassir, . M. A., Alhazmi, . R. J. A. & Alasmari, . S. S. N. (2026) Prevalence and management of low back pain in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (5), 1414-1418. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1769939487




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