The occurrence of low-back pain (LBP) was investigated in a retrospective cross sectional study of a random sample of 1,760 38 to 64-year-old women. The lifetime incidence of LBP was 66% and the prevalence was 35%. Neither the lifetime incidence nor the prevalence rates were significantly associated with age. Inability to work because of LBP was found in 2.6% of the women in the 38- to 49-year age group and 5.9% among 50- to 64-year-old women (P less than 0.05). The utilization of medical services because of LBP was high, but only 1% of all investigated women had had a back operation. Forty-seven percent of the women in the prevalence group had experienced leg pain (sciatica), the frequency being significantly higher among the older women (P less than 0.01). Increased LBP when performing certain activities of daily living was common, and significantly more pronounced in the older age group.