Quality of Life and Disability Among Patients With Chronic Lower Back Pain

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our research was to estimate the quality of life, the disability, the burden of disease, the used self-healing treatments, and costs in patients with chronic lower back pain. Furthermore, we aimed to examine the short- and long-term impact of physiotherapy.

METHODS: Quantitative cross-sectional (n=252) and interventional studies were performed among patients with chronic lower back pain in Hungary. The questionnaire survey included sociodemographic data, therapy methods, costs, severity of pain. We measured activity, quality of life and disability with validated questionnaires (Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Godin Leisure-Time Exercise, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ), Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale (IIRS), Visual Analog Scale). The participants filled in the questionnaire before and after physiotherapy, and again after two months (n=14). In addition to the descriptive statistical analysis χ²-test, independent and paired t-tests, ANOVA were applied (p<0.05) with SPSS software.

RESULTS: Participants who suffer from more severe disability, indicated signs for a significantly (p<0,001) greater burden of disease with both methods. 46.8% (118 people) of patients are taking medication to reduce their low back pain. Those over 40 years of age indicated a significantly higher pain level (VAS mean: 3.5; p<0.001). Patients over 40 years old showed a significantly poorer quality of life and disability (18.3 vs 7.3; p<0.001). There is significant correlation between pain and disease burden (r=0.681; p<0.001). In those who marked more severe pain (VAS), the burden index (p<0.001; r=0.681) showed a remarkably worse state. People who participated in the physiotherapy showed improvement, decreased level of pain (4.14 vs. 2.36; p=0.001) and disease of burden (30.1 vs 24.6; p=0.040).

CONCLUSIONS: Participants who lived with greater disability had greater burden of disease and severity of pain. The positive effects of physiotherapy were perceptible during the two months control.