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Work status and chronic low back pain: exploring the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
W Kuijer1, S Brouwer, H R Schiphorst Preuper
1Northern Centre for Healthcare Research, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. w.kuijer@rev.umcg.nl
Purpose:
Exploring which variables are related to work status in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
Method:
Ninety-two patients with CLBP filled out questionnaires inquiring after health status, impairments in body functions/structures, limitations in activities of daily living (ADL), participation in work, environmental and personal factors. Additionally, patients performed tests to measure physical fitness and performance of work-related activities. Univariate analyses were performed to investigate whether differences exist between working and non-working patients. Logistic linear regression analysis was performed to explain work status from the variables of functioning.
Results:
Non-working patients had a lower self-reported physical and mental health, lower physical fitness, more self-reported limitations in ADL, lower education, more depressive symptoms and higher psycho neuroticism than working patients. Self-reported physical and mental health and educational level correctly classified 84.5% of the patients as working or non-working. Performance of work-related activities was not significantly related with work-status.
Conclusions:
The relation between work status and CLBP is multidimensional, as was illustrated by using the bio-psychosocial model of the ICF. Patients with a low educational level, a low self-reported physical or mental health were more likely to be non-working. Self-reported limitations and physical and mental health are more important in explaining work status than objective measurements of performance.
