Psychosocial factors as predictors for early retirement in patients with chronic low back pain

The incidence of disability pensions was followed up for an approximate period of 4.5 yr in 476 patients with chronic low-back pain. Most of the psychosocial factors assessed at the beginning of the study predicted subsequent early retirement. In the final logistic regression analysis associations with early retirement were found for self-employment, free-floating anxiety, internal back pain locus of control, beliefs in control by others, and accomplishment of back exercises. An early detection of these factors is emphasized.