Which psychosocial factors are related to severe pain and functional limitation in patients with low back pain? Psychosocial factors related to severe low back pain

Leticia Amaral Corrêa, Stephanie Mathieson, Ney Armando Meziat Filho, Felipe José Jandre dos Reis, Arthur de Sá Ferreira, Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a global public health issue. Psychosocial factors are linked to LBP. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the relation of psychosocial factors to clinical outcomes of patients with severe LBP.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between specific psychosocial factors with severe pain and functional limitation of patients with LBP.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 472 participants with LBP was conducted. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires, including psychosocial factors, characteristics of pain, and functional limitations. Two multivariable logistic regression models were performed with severe pain intensity (≥ 7 out of 10) and functional limitation (≥ 7 out of 10) (dependent variables) and 15 psychosocial factors (independent variables).

Results: One hundred twenty-five (26.5%) participants had severe LBP. Patients with catastrophising symptoms were 2.21 [95%Confidence Interval (CI): 1.30, 3.77] times more likely to have severe pain and 2.72 (95%CI: 1.75, 4.23) times more likely to have severe functional limitation than patients without catastrophising symptoms. Patients with maladaptive beliefs about rest were 2.75 (95%CI: 1.37, 5.52) times more likely to present with severe pain and 1.72 (95%CI: 1.04, 2.83) times more likely to have severe functional limitation. Patients with kinesiophobia were 3.34 (95%CI: 1.36, 8.24) times more likely to present with severe pain, and patients with social isolation were 1.98 (95%CI: 1.25, 3.14) times more likely to have severe functional limitation.

Conclusion: Catastrophising, kinesiophobia, maladaptive beliefs about rest, and social isolation are related to unfavourable clinical outcomes of patients with LBP.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100413
Pages (from-to)100413
Number of pages11
JournalBrazilian Journal of Physical Therapy
Volume26
Issue number3
Early online date12 Apr 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chronic pain
  • Disability
  • Low back pain
  • Observational study
  • Psychosocial factors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Which psychosocial factors are related to severe pain and functional limitation in patients with low back pain? Psychosocial factors related to severe low back pain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this