Aim:Low back pain is a common disease, and it is observed at least once in 70-85% of the
population during their lifetime.Chronic low back pain (CLBP)interferes with the physical ability
and mobility of high number of people. This study will determine if there is a relationship
between mental disorders including depression, hypochondriasis and anxiety, and the functional
status of patients suffering from chronic low back pain.Subjects and methods: The study was
performed on a sample of 200 agreed to participate in this cross-sectional study. The patients were
divided equally into two separate groups: first group consisted patients with chronic low back
pain with clear organic lesion and validated radiologically.The second group consisted of patients
with chronic low back pain in which no clinical and radiological confirmation for an organic
lesion, or called functional group. Every patient has undergone to the following procedures: A)
Medical evaluation including (Neurological evaluation, systemic examination mainly
gynecological examination in all female patients and radiological examination mainly Plain x-ray
of lumbosacral spine and Magnetic Resonence Imaging(MRI) lumbosacral spine. B) The
psychological evaluation used to measure anxiety, depression and hypochondriasis by adopting
the MMPI Questionnaire Results: This study sample has included 53% males and 47% females in
organic group while 30% males and 70% females in functional group. In Organic group, age and
LBPwere found to be significantly associated. Radiation was absent in 9% of patients in organic
group and in 60% of patients in functional group. Parathesia present in 85% of organic group,
while functional group 20%. 70% of those in organic group and 25% of those in functional group
reported severe pain.Depressionwas observed in 15% oforganic group participants and in 35% of
patients of functional group in LBP patients. Depression scores reported in the functional group
are strikingly higher than that inthe group with organic lesion.Anxiety were (14%) in organic
group, 20% in functional group, hysteria scores in the second group are decidedly higher than that
in the group with organic lesions. Hypochondriasis disorders reported in 9.5%of organic pain
patients and in 15% of functional pain group.Hypochondriasis scorewas found to be definitely
higher in the functional groupthan in the organic group.Conclusion: Depression, anxiety, and
hypochondriasis are highly prevalent among people with chronic low back pain. So in order to
manage the pain, it is useful to treat patient’s mental dysfunctions that will probably improve their
functional status. This way, patients can avoid addictive management and treatment regimens
prescribed by their physician to treat their functional disabilities. |
