Back pain and problems
Back problems describe conditions relating to the bones, joints, connective tissue, muscles and nerves of the back, which can affect the neck, upper back, lower back, sacrament tailbone
- The main symptom relating to back problems is pain.
- Of those with back pain, 14% have constant pain and 86% experience pain at least one day a week.
- Around 1 in 6 people have back pain.
- About 20% of people with acute back pain will go on to develop chronic pain, with persistent symptoms starting around 1 year.
The direct cost of care for back problems and pain in Australia is about 1 billion dollars annually. Most of this cost is spent on treatment from chiropractors, general practitioners, massage therapists, physiotherapists and acupuncturists. Other costs associated with back problems include diagnostic evaluations, such as x-ray, computer tomography (CT) and MRI scans.
Back pain is associated with significant workplace absenteeism.
Around 77% of people who experience back pain are of working age (15 to 64 years) all those with a disability due to back problems, 44% are permanently unable to work.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia.
- Diabetes is more common in men than women.
- There are a number of complications that can arise from diabetes, including blindness, foot complications (sometimes resulting in amputation) kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease.
- One person develops diabetes every five minutes in Australia.
The chance of an individual being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is very low at 0.33%. However, the risk rises dramatically to 5% for individuals with a first-degree relative with Type 1 diabetes.
The story is much different when it comes to Type 2 diabetes (T2D).
- The risk that a man aged 20 years will develop T2D in his lifetime is 40% and for a woman aged 20 years, the risk is 39%.
Certain risk factors are closely linked with a chance of developing T2D.
- These include family history, age, overweight and obesity and gestational diabetes.
Complications from diabetes:
- Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness and kidney failure in Australia.
- There are more than 4,400 amputations per year as a result of diabetes.
The risk of Cardio Vascular events and other complications is higher for people with diabetes.
- Heart attack – 3times as likely
- Stroke – 4 times as likely
- Kidney failure – 3 times as likely
There is no cure for diabetes, and as a result, the condition requires lifelong management.
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the presence of impaired or reduced kidney function that lasts for at least 3 months.
- CKD progresses in stages - 1, to, 3A, 3B,, 5 (in stage) with each stage related to the level of kidney function and damage.
- Individuals with end-stage kidney disease usually require a transplant or dialysis to survive
- The average life expectancy of men aged 30 to 50 years with stage one or two is between 39.1 and 22.3 years. For women with the same parameters, it is 43.8 and 26 years.
What's the risk?
For individuals with no risk factors the risk is lower than 34.2%. With each additional risk-factor, this risk increases.
- Risk factors for CKD include high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
Additional risk factors for CKD include
- Established heart problems
- Previous heart attack or stroke
- Family history of kidney failure
- Smoking
- Age (60 years or older)
- History of acute kidney injury
- Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Origin
In most cases, kidney function will continue to decline and the disease will progress despite treatment.
- Almost all people with CKD will incur lifelong expenses to manage their condition.
- Regular dialysis can mean significantly reduced working hours or unemployment.
- People with CKD average approximately 18 days of absence from employment each year.
Kidney related disease kills more people each year than breast cancer, prostate cancer or road traffic. — Kidney Health Australia March 2018.
Spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is considered to be damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss-of-function; it usually occurs due to trauma, for example, a car accident, or a medical condition, such as Spina bifida.
- 46% of spinal cord injuries a result of Land Transport accidents
What's the risk?
While an SCI can happen to anyone, certain individuals are more prone
- Men - 80% of Spinal cord injuries occur in men
- People between the ages of 18 to 35 years are more likely to sustain spinal injuries (usually from car or motorcycle accidents)
- Athletes, in particular gymnasts, divers and surfers are at increased risk.
The average age of a spinal cord injury is 42 years in men and 53 in women.
SCI imposes a large burden on the individual, their families and Carers in the economy as a result of the high-level and long-term disability and increased mortality risk.
Approximately 60% with SCI are wheelchair dependent and may require home modifications and specialised equipment
