Functioning in Neck and Low Back Pain from a 12-Year Perspective: A Prospective Population-Based Study

Author： Thelin Anders Holmberg Sara Thelin Nils

ISSN： 1650-1977

Source： Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol.40, Iss.7, 2008-07, pp. : 555-561

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of unspecific neck pain and low back pain at a given time (1990–91) with respect to physical and social functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems 12 years later.Methods: A rural male study population (2351 individuals) was established in 1989 and a first survey conducted in 1990–91. A follow-up survey was performed in 2002–03. A total of 1405 persons participated in both surveys. Functioning and role limitations in 2002–03 were evaluated using the SF-36 instrument. Several possible confounders were included in the analyses.Results: Unspecific neck pain or low back pain in 1990–91 was shown in a multivariate longitudinal regression model to be significantly related to limited physical (odds ratio (OR)=2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51–2.87) and social (OR=1.92; 95% CI 1.33–2.75) functioning 12 years later. The effects were only slightly modified by the confounders analysed. However, higher education independently and significantly predicted a low risk for functional limitations.Conclusion: Non-specific neck pain and low back pain at a given time impacted on the risk of limited physical and social functioning many years later. Current symptoms of depression and anxiety at the time for the second survey had a high impact on functional limitations.