Relationship of Psychological Distress with Pain, Disability and Recurrence of Low Back Pain

AIM: Studies on psychological profile of patients with low back pain (LBP) in Nigeria is scarce. This study investigated the proportion of psychological distress, the relationship between psychological distress and each of pain intensity, functional disability and recurrence in Nigerian patients with LBP. METHOD: A total of 125 consecutive patients with LBP from selected out-patient physiotherapy departments participated in this study. The General Health Questionnaire (SF-12), Roland Morris low back-pain and disability questionnaire, and box numerical scale were used to assess psychological distress, functional disability and pain intensity respectively. RESULTS: 19% of the patients reported evidence of psychological distress. There was no significant relationship between psychological distress and each of pain intensity(r=0.098; p=0.279) and recurrence of low back pain. (r=0.16; p=0.859) respectively. However a significant direct relationship was found between psychological distress and functional disability (r=0.291; p=0.001). Psychological distress was also seen to be a predictor of level of functional disability accounting for 8.2% of the variance. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that psychological distress may affect functional outcomes of patients with LBP. Therefore psychological distress should be taken into consideration in the assessment and management of patients with LBP. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(3): 175-180]