RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor nas costas é uma das principais causas de incapacidade em todo o mundo, resultando em maiores taxas de absenteísmo no trabalho e anos vividos com incapacidade. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de dor nas costas e seus fatores associados em usuários de Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal de base comunitária em UBS localizadas em Pelotas, Brasil. Foram entrevistados 15 indivíduos de cada UBS, com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos (n=540). A dor nas costas foi definida como dor em uma a três áreas das costas (pescoço, dorsal e lombar). Características demográficas, econômicas, comportamentais, nutricionais (índice de massa corporal) e de saúde foram avaliadas como covariáveis. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para estimar a razão de prevalência e os intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de dor nas costas em usuários de UBS foi de 20% (IC95% 16,8 - 23,6). Autopercepção de saúde regular (RP 2,66 IC95% 1,00 - 7,09) e ruim (RP 3,65 IC95% 1,31 - 10,16), doença musculoesquelética (RP 2,71 IC95% 1,84 - 3,98) e tabagismo atual (RP 1,71 IC95% 1,18 - 2,47) foram associados à dor nas costas. CONCLUSÃO: A dor nas costas é um problema comum em usuários de UBS. Pacientes com doença musculoesquelética, fumantes atuais e com autopercepção de saúde ruim são mais propensos a sentir dor nas costas.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Back pain is one of the main causes of disability worldwide, resulting in higher rates of work absenteeism and years lived with disability. This study aimed to evaluate back pain prevalence and its associated factors in Primary Health Units (PHU) users. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at PHU located in Pelotas, Brazil. Fifteen individuals of each PHU, aged 18 years or more, were interviewed (n=540). Back pain was defined as pain in one to three back areas (neck, dorsal and lumbar). Demographic, economic, behavioral, nutritional status (body mass index) and health characteristics were assessed as covariates. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Prevalence of back pain in PHU users was 20% (95%CI 16.8 - 23.6). Fair (PR 2.66 95%CI 1.00 - 7.09) and poor (PR 3.65 95%CI 1.31 - 10.16) self-perceived health, musculoskeletal disease (RP 2.71 95%CI 1.84 - 3.98) and current smoking (PR 1.71 95%CI 1.18 - 2.47) were associated with back pain. CONCLUSION: Back pain is a common problem in PHU users in Brazil. Patients with musculoskeletal disease, who are current smokers and have a poor self-perceived health, are more likely to experience back pain.

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to describe an experimental protocol to evaluate how a structured exercise program can impact on the health of people with epilepsy. Methods: For this purpose, a randomized control trial will be conducted in the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. Participants will be randomized into two groups: 1) Control- maintain usual activities, and 2) Exercise- a structured exercise program, with two 60-minute sessions per week, for 12 weeks. The intervention will be composed by warm-up (5-minutes), moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (15-20 minutes, performed on a treadmill), resistance training (2-3 sets, 10-15 repetitions), and 5-minutes of stretching exercises. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, cognitive function, anthropometric measurements (weight, height, hip and waist circumferences), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and strength (dynamometer) will be measured at baseline and 12-week post-intervention. Participants will receive a diary to record their seizures throughout the study. Results: A structured exercise program is expected to generate beneficial health effects, and the results can assist in health professionals’ clinical practice for people with epilepsy.