Differences in Depression and Anxiety, Quality of Life and Quality of Sleep Between Neuropathic and Nociceptive Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Comparative, Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The available evidence highlights that low back pain (LBP) can be categorized into neuropathic or nociceptive pain, according to mechanical- or lesion/disease-related issues. Both types of pain are associated with increased psychological and sleep problems and well-being. However, little is known about how a specific type of LBP pain (neuropathic vs. nociceptive) has an impact on these lifestyle factors. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to examine the differences in depression and anxiety symptoms, quality of life (QoL) and quality of sleep in patients with LBP. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 150 patients [mean ± standard deviation (SD) age: 46.54 ± 13.36 years; height: 178.06 ± 10.80 cm; weight: 85.26 ± 15.53 kg; body mass index (BMI): 26.77 ± 3.63 kg/m²; 45.0% women] from three centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia between July and October 2025. All patients suffered from chronic LBP confirmed by computerized tomography (CT). The classification of pain was conducted using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANNS), the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) and the PainDETECT (PD-Q) questionnaires. Positive scores in all three questionnaires denoted neuropathic pain. Factors of depression (Beck's Depression Inventory), anxiety [Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS)], QoL (SF-36 scale) and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were also collected. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, neuropathic patients reported higher depression [F_1,149 = 7.790, p = 0.006, partial eta squared (ηp²) = 0.051] and anxiety level scores (F_1,149 = 8.140, p = 0.005, ηp² = 0.053), lower QoL (F_1,149 = 19.088, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.116) and poorer sleep quality (F_1,149 = 19.654, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.119). Conclusions: In summary, this study shows that neuropathic patients with LBP are more depressed and anxious, and have lower levels of QoL and poorer sleep quality, in comparison to nociceptive patients. The findings suggest that these lifestyle factors need to be considered when establishing the appropriate rehabilitation and management of LBP.