Differences between chronic low back pain patients in Germany and Thailand in terms of nature of disease and socioeconomic and psychological factors

Author(s):  
Pattarapol Yotnuengnit ◽  
Pongrin Boonyapaisancharoen ◽  
Nastasja Jamin ◽  
Heike Schulte-Goecking ◽  
Shahnaz-Christina Azad ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common causes of physical and psychological disabilities. The factors that affect low back pain (LBP) between Western and Eastern countries are different. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the factors associated with LBP and their impact in German and Thai CLBP participants. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 Thai and 100 German CLBP participants. Data were collected before the participants received treatment in the outpatient rehabilitation clinic. We used standardized questionnaires to assess the demographic and socioeconomic data, clinical features of the pain, the impact of pain during daily activities, and psychological consequences. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant difference between the two groups for minimal pain intensity (NRS German = 3.01, Thai = 1.83), and the participants’ acceptable pain intensity (NRS German = 1.97, Thai = 3.88). The German participants had a higher negative impact score in their daily living compared to the Thai participants (German = 23.5, Thai = 10). Also, the German participants suffered more often from depression (CES-D score; German = 17, Thai = 4). However, the average back pain intensity was the same for both groups. CONCLUSION: German CLBP participants had significantly more depressive symptoms and pain-related impairments compared to the Thai participants. On the other hand, there were no differences in maximum and average pain severities.

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 1049-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey B. Simon ◽  
Trevor A. Lentz ◽  
Mark D. Bishop ◽  
Joseph L. Riley ◽  
Roger B. Fillingim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Because of its high global burden, determining biopsychosocial influences of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a research priority. Psychological factors such as pain catastrophizing are well established. However, cognitive factors such as working memory warrant further investigation to be clinically useful. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine how working memory and pain catastrophizing are associated with CLBP measures of daily pain intensity and movement-evoked pain intensity. Design This study was a cross-sectional analysis of individuals with ≥3 months of CLBP (n=60) compared with pain-free controls (n=30). Method Participants completed measures of working memory, pain catastrophizing, and daily pain intensity. Movement-evoked pain intensity was assessed using the Back Performance Scale. Outcome measures were compared between individuals with CLBP and those who were pain-free using nonparametric testing. Associations were determined using multivariate regression analyses. Results Participants with CLBP (mean age=47.7 years, 68% female) had lower working memory performance (P=.008) and higher pain catastrophizing (P<.001) compared with pain-free controls (mean age=47.6 years, 63% female). For individuals with CLBP, only working memory remained associated with daily pain intensity (R2=.07, standardized beta=−.308, P=.041) and movement-evoked pain intensity (R2=.14, standardized beta=−.502, P=.001) after accounting for age, sex, education, and interactions between pain catastrophizing and working memory. Limitations The cross-sectional design prevented prospective analysis. Findings also are not indicative of overall working memory (eg, spatial) or cognitive performance. Conclusion Working memory demonstrated the strongest association with daily pain and movement-evoked pain intensity compared with (and after accounting for) established CLBP factors. Future research will elucidate the prognostic value of working memory on prevention and recovery of CLBP.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alikemal Yazici ◽  
Tuba Yerlikaya ◽  
Adile Oniz

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to examine degeneration in the lumbar musculus multifidus (L.MF) and lumbar musculus erector spina (L.ES) muscles in patients with mechanical chronic low back pain, non-radiculopathy chronic low back pain with discopathy, and healthy individuals. The relationships with low back pain were examined by comparing the results according to gender, pain, and lumbar segments. Material and Method: Evaluation was made of 36 healthy control subjects (Group 1), 37 patients with mechanical low back pain (Group 2) and 41 non-radiculopathy, lumbar discopathy patients (Group 3). On axial magnetic resonance images at the L3-S1 level, asymmetry between the left and right sides was examined in respect of L.MF and L.ES surface cross-sectional areas (CSA), total surface cross-sectional area (TCSA = L.MF + L.ES), and fat infiltration. Results The mean CSA values showed a significant difference only in the right L.MF in the healthy control group (p = 0.011). No statistically significant difference was seen between the groups in the comparisons of TCSA, and a statistically significant difference was determined in respect of fat infiltration in the right and left L.MF and the left L.ES (p = 0.011, p = 0.001, p = 0.027, respectively). When the CSA and TCSA were examined according to gender within the groups, the values were found to be statistically significantly higher in males (p < 0.001). The CSA and TCSA values of the L.MF and L.ES showed a significant difference between segments (L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1) (p < 0.001). No asymmetry was observed between the left /right CSA and TCSA values of the groups. Fat infiltration showed a significant difference according to gender and segments (p < 0.001). Conclusion Fat infiltration in the L.MF muscle is related to mechanical low back pain and lumbar discopathy. That there was no difference between the groups in the CSA and TCSA values demonstrates the need for measurement of muscle atrophy associated with fat infiltration or functional cross-section area rather than CSA and TCSA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 200-204
Author(s):  
Jarmila Lacokova-Krasnikova ◽  
Dejan Dimitrov ◽  
Rastislava Krasnik ◽  
Jelena Zvekic-Svorcan ◽  
Mirjana Kolundzic ◽  
...  

Introduction. Back pain is often present among health workers. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of gender and years of work experience on the incidence of low back pain. Material and Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study included 67 subjects of both genders, and it was conducted in the period between June 1 and 15, 2020, in two health centers in Serbia. The impact of gender, age, years of work experience on the incidence of low back pain was analyzed, measured by the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire. Results. In the examined sample (n = 67), the majority were females (55, 82.1%). The average age of the respondents was 45.5 ? 12.2 years, with an average work experience of 20.62 ? 12.03 years. Low back pain was present in 35 subjects (52.2%). There was no statistically significant difference between male and female subjects regarding the Roland-Morris disability score (3.83 ? 4.50 vs. 4.96 ? 4.53; p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the age of subjects and the Roland-Morris disability score (r = 0.407; p < 0.01). Subjects with more years of work experience presented with a higher Roland-Morris disability score (r = 0.371; p < 0.01). Conclusion. Low back pain is common in older health workers with longer work experience, regardless of the level of formal education. Additional education of health workers on the application of protective attitudes, movements, and exercise, is needed in order to prevent the development of low back pain in the work environment.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
FP Torres ◽  
D Ybañez-García ◽  
P Pérez-Caballero ◽  
M Morales ◽  
A Llópis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afshin Farhanchi ◽  
Behrouz Karkhanei ◽  
Negar Amani ◽  
Mashhood Aghajanloo ◽  
Elham Khanlarzadeh ◽  
...  

Introduction. In this study we are aiming to evaluate the changes of serum serotonin and its association with pain in patients suffering from chronic low back pain before and after lumbar discectomy surgery. Patients and Methods. A prospective study was performed on the patients referring to the outpatient clinic in Besat hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran, during 2016. A 2 mL fasting blood sample was collected from each patient at preoperative day 1 and postoperative day 14 and they were measured for level of serum serotonin. Besides, all patients were asked for severity of their low back pain in preoperative day 1 and postoperative day 14 and scored their pain from zero to ten using a Numerical Rating Scale. Results. Forty patients with the mean age of 47 ± 13 yrs/old (range 25–77) including 15 (37.5%) males were enrolled into the study. The overall mean score of preoperative pain was significantly decreased from 7.4 ± 2.18 (range 4–10) to the postoperative pain score 3.87 ± 2.92 (range 0–10) (P < .001). The overall levels of pre- and postoperative serum serotonin were 3.37 ± 1.27 (range 1.1–6.4) and 3.58 ± 1.32 (range .94–7.1) ng/mL, respectively, with no significant difference (P = .09). The levels of pre- and postoperative serum serotonin were significantly higher in males and patients older than 50 yrs/old compared to the females and patients younger than 50 yrs/old, respectively (P = .03 and .005, respectively). A significant inverse correlation between the postoperative levels of pain and serum serotonin was observed (r = -.36 and P = .02). Conclusion. A negative medium strength linear relationship may exist between the postoperative serum serotonin and low back pain.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueming Hu ◽  
Zechuan Yang ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Yong Xu ◽  
Mengge Tian ◽  
...  

Background: Few studies have focused on depressive symptoms among patients with chronic low back pain in China. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain.Methods: From May to August 2021, 1,172 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited in China. Depressive symptoms were assessed through the Patient Health Questionnaire. Associations of demographic characteristics, clinical characters and social-psychological factors with depressive symptoms were investigated among patients with chronic low back pain.Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 25.00%. Logistic regression analysis found that duration of pain in 1-5 years (1-3 years: OR = 2.91, 95%CI: 1.65-5.14, 3-5 years: OR = 3.09, 95%CI: 1.55-6.15) and more severe pain (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.10-1.17) were associated with higher risks of depressive symptoms. Better family function (good family function: OR = 0.25, 95%CI: 0.15-0.41, moderate family dysfunction: OR = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.29-0.77) and higher pain self-efficacy (OR = 0.94, 95%CI: 0.93-0.95) were associated with lower risks of depressive symptoms.Conclusion: Patients with chronic low back pain have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in China. Duration of pain, pain severity, family function and pain self-efficacy were predictors of depressive symptoms among chronic low back pain patients in China. Early identification of the associated factors may be helpful for the timely management of depressive symptoms.


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