Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Differences by Sex: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: The experience of chronic low back pain has a significant impact on the quality of life of affected people, resulting in difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living. Aim: To study the perceived quality of life of people affected by chronic low back pain and the associated factors by sex. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal and observational design was used. Results: A total of 129 people (58.1% women) with chronic low back pain were studied. The mean pain intensity scores were of moderate severity (6.42 points), with a modest improvement at follow-up (6.17 points). Epidural nerve blocks were the most effective therapeutic intervention in reducing the intensity of pain. Participants described a negative perception of their health with regard to quality of life, with low scores for the two constructs both at baseline (health index, 0.444; perception of health, 38.76 points) and at follow-up (health index, 0.447; perception of health, 40.43 points). Participants had severe functional limitation scores (50.79 points). The results were significantly better among men. There was an inverse relationship between the average pain intensity (β = −0.304; p < 0.001), functional limitation (β = −0.466; p < 0.001) and mental health (β = −0.565; p < 0.001) and quality of life. Conclusions: The chronification of low back pain complicates people’s biopsychosocial adaptation to life. There is a longitudinal inverse association between pain and functional limitation and health-related quality of life