Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2019  |  Volume : 46  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 48--54

Depression in patients with chronic low back pain


N Nassar1, N Assaf1, D Farrag1, D Ibrahim2, A Al-Sheekh1 
1 Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt
2 Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Correspondence Address:
D Farrag
Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 11757, 1 Mohy El Din Abu El Ezz, Almaza, Heliopolis
Egypt

Background Low back pain is a common health issue affecting at least 80% of individuals during their lifetime. It is usually recurrent and develops into chronic low back pain (CLBP). In chronic pain, psychosocial risk factors become relevant, and may explain how individuals respond to pain. CLBP is often comorbid with depression. Aim The aim of this study was to detect if there is an association between depression and functional disability in patients with CLBP. Patients and methods This cross-sectional, descriptive preliminary study included 50 patients with CLBP. Pain intensity was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS), functional disability was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and depression assessment was done using Beck depression inventory (BDI) questionnaire II. Results The mean age of the patients was 43.66±13.96 years. Mean scores for VAS, ODI, and BDI were 5.38±2.42, 18.66±7.26, and 22.40±9.20, respectively. A strong positive correlation was found between VAS and each of ODI and BDI (r=0.797 and 0.515, respectively; P=0.000). Similarly, a positive significant linear relation was detected between degree of disability by ODI and severity of depression by BDI (P=0.039). Conclusion Depression strongly influences pain intensity and degree of disability in patients with CLBP. Screening and early management of depression is essential for reducing pain and disability associated with CLBP.


How to cite this article:
Nassar N, Assaf N, Farrag D, Ibrahim D, Al-Sheekh A. Depression in patients with chronic low back pain.Egypt Rheumatol Rehabil 2019;46:48-54


How to cite this URL:
Nassar N, Assaf N, Farrag D, Ibrahim D, Al-Sheekh A. Depression in patients with chronic low back pain. Egypt Rheumatol Rehabil [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];46:48-54
Available from: http://www.err.eg.net/article.asp?issn=1110-161X;year=2019;volume=46;issue=1;spage=48;epage=54;aulast=Nassar;type=0