Sciatica and Mental Well-Being Among Saudi Women: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

Sciatica can adversely affect mental well-being; however, evidence regarding its psychological impact among Saudi women remains scarce, particularly concerning differential effects across specific mental health domains. This study examined the prevalence of sciatica and its associations with depression, anxiety, and stress among adult Saudi women.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February to March 2024 among Saudi women aged ≥18 years. Participants (n = 706) completed the Arabic Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and provided sociodemographic and health information. Sciatica status was based on self-report. Multivariable linear regression analyses identified independent predictors of each mental health domain.

Sciatica prevalence was 11.0% among 706 participants (mean age 29 ± 11 years; mean BMI 24 ± 6.5 kg/m²). Sciatica was the strongest independent predictor of stress (β = 6.87, 95% CI: 4.57-9.17, p < 0.001). No significant associations were observed with depression (β = 1.80, p = 0.183) or anxiety (β = 0.45, p = 0.481). Additional stress predictors included lower-back pain, diabetes, lower-middle income, and daily phone use >8 h, while bachelor-level education was protective. Arthritis independently predicted anxiety (β = 1.52, p = 0.008).

In this convenience sample of Saudi women, sciatica was significantly associated with higher stress symptom scores, while associations with depression and anxiety did not reach statistical significance. The observed pattern suggests that stress screening and management should be considered within biopsychosocial care for sciatica patients, pending confirmation in prospective studies.