Prevalence and related factors of depression เท chronic back pain patients attending for physical therapy in Supanburi, Chiangrai and Nakornsawan

Abstract

Problems/Background : Back pain is one of the most common complaints in patients with musculoskeletal problems while depression is a condition that worsens its prognosis of back pain. Consideration and screening for psychosocial related factors is important to improve the quality of life of the patients and can lead to higher potential outcomes.

Objective : To explore the prevalence and related factors of depression in chronic back pain patients attending for physical therapy

Design : Descriptive study

Setting : Physical Therapy Units of Chaoprayayomraj Hospital, Chiang Rai Prachanukhro Hospital and Sawan Pracha Rak Hospital

Patients and Methods : Participants of the present study were 328 outpatients facing back pain over 3 months and visited the physical rehabilitation unit from September 2008 to February 2009. Questionnaires were used as a tool to measure and collected the key information which included demographic data, related symptom of back pain, Thai-Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and Social Support Questionnaire (modified from The Personal Resource Questionnaire ; PRQ Part II).

Results : The prevalence of depression in chronic back pain patients, the major finding,was 8.5%. There were many factors (e.g. ages, educational level, jobs, location of pain, refer pain, weakness, pain severity, disability and social support) could associate significantly to depression (p<0.05). Nevertheless, it was found that there were about 21 % of the cases that were doubtful.

Conclusions : Depression and factors related to this group of patients should be concerned, evaluated, and realized. They are extremely important for improvement of the patients’ quality of life as well as providing effective treatment.