Functioning in neck and low back pain from a 12-year perspective: a prospective population-based study.
Anders Thelin1, Sara Holmberg, Nils Thelin
1Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. athelin@wgab.se
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
|September 2, 2008
Summary
Neck and low back pain in 1990-91 significantly predicted limited physical and social functioning 12 years later. Higher education was linked to a lower risk of functional limitations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal Health
Background:
- Neck and low back pain are common health issues.
- Long-term functional consequences of these conditions require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the 12-year impact of non-specific neck pain and low back pain on physical and social functioning.
- To examine the role of emotional problems and other confounders in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 1405 individuals from a rural male cohort, surveyed in 1990-91 and 2002-03.
- The SF-36 instrument was used to evaluate functioning and role limitations.
- Multivariate regression models analyzed the association between baseline pain and later functioning, controlling for confounders.
Main Results:
- Non-specific neck pain or low back pain in 1990-91 was significantly associated with limited physical functioning (OR=2.08) and social functioning (OR=1.92) in 2002-03.
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders.
- Higher education was an independent predictor of a lower risk for functional limitations.
Conclusions:
- Early non-specific neck and low back pain poses a long-term risk for reduced physical and social functioning.
- Current depression and anxiety symptoms at follow-up strongly influenced functional limitations.
