Coping with low-back pain: Remaining disabilities 5 years after multidisciplinary rehabilitation

The health status of 106 persons once affected with a chronic low back pain episode was compared to that of 115 referent subjects, category matched on sex, age, and time of episode about 5 years after their admission to a multidisciplinary treatment program in rehabilitation. The current health status of both groups was assessed with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). Results show that cases reported significantly more functional limitations in areas related to ambulation, body care and movements, home management activities, and employment. These limitations increased with age. The current distress of cases seemed comparable to that of patients with severely restricting diseases such as end-stage renal disease. This study underlines the duration and burden of personal suffering among workers with chronic low back pain.