Functional Disability Mediates the Association between Low Back Pain and Sleep Disturbance: Evidence from A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Sleep disturbance and low back pain (LBP) are prevalent global health issues.
• Their frequent co-occurrence negatively impacts quality of life.
• Existing research has limited population-based data on the simultaneous evaluation of LBP and pain-related disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between sleep disturbance and low back pain (LBP).
• To examine the relationship between sleep disturbance and pain-related disability.
• To explore these associations in a Japanese community-based population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2,186 adults (aged 20-90 years).
• Sleep disturbance was measured using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS).
• Low back pain (LBP) and disability were assessed using the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI); psychological distress was measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).

Main Results:

• The prevalence of LBP was 14.9% and sleep disturbance was 29.7%.
• Sleep disturbance was significantly associated with higher LBP-related disability (mODI) and psychological distress (K6).
• The association between LBP and sleep disturbance was mediated by disability, with pain intensity and sitting limitations showing the strongest correlation with insomnia.

Conclusions:

• Low back pain-related disability, not pain severity, is a key factor associated with sleep disturbance.
• Psychological distress is an independent predictor of insomnia.
• Findings emphasize the importance of addressing disability and psychological factors in managing sleep disturbances in LBP patients.