Psychosocial factors associated with disability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional study

Introduction and objectives

Chronic low back pain is the main cause of disability worldwide, generating high costs for society. To evaluate the prevalence of disability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and associated factors, including the impacts of low back pain and psychosocial factors linked to kinesiophobia, catastrophism, anxiety, and depression.

Patients

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 108 adult individuals who had non-specific chronic low back pain. The patients answered previously validated questionnaires, namely the Brief Pain Inventory, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results

The prevalence of disability observed was 65.7%, with the mean disability score being 15.7 ± 5.3 points in the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Although pain intensity and other domains of the Brief Pain Inventory, like anxiety, depression, and severe kinesiophobia were significant in the bivariate analyses, they were not associated with disability in the multivariate analysis. Only catastrophic thoughts (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.32), and the ‘walking’ domain (PR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03–1.14) remained statistically associated with disability.

Conclusion

Pain catastrophization and impact on gait were associated with disability in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain. Motor control thoughts and behaviors during functional activities were considered to be relevant aspects for the better assessment and treatment of these patients.