The Impact of Chronic Low-Back Pain on Quality of Life among Samples of Iraqi Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: The term “chronic pain” refers to discomfort that lasts longer than 3–6 months. Particularly in industrialized nations, low-back pain (LBP) and its accompanying limitations are becoming a rising public health concern. Disability is the inability to do an activity in a way that is appropriate for a human being or within their normal range. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and pain severity and quality of life in chronic LBP (CLBP) patients from Iraq. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out between September 2020 and January 2021, involving 100 participants conveniently selected in the rheumatology unit at Baghdad Teaching Hospital/Medical City, Iraq. Data were collected using a questionnaire that consisted of the sociodemographic variables, the short form 36 score (SF-36), and the numerical pain score. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for the statistical analysis. Results: In the study, there were 100 patients with persistent LBP, ranging in age from 17 to 58, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 45.54 (11.36) years. About 54% of them were female. Approximately 72% were married, and the highest percentage (40%) had a secondary educational level. The individuals under study had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.61 kg/m 2 . Nearly 12% of them were current smokers, and 46.0% were housewives. A higher mean Numerical Pain Score was reported among current smokers ( P = 0.016). A nonsignificant difference in numerical pain score has been noted in relation to gender, age, marital status, occupation, BMI, and educational level ( P values of 0.876, 0.06, 0.392, 0.307, 0.139, and 0.664, respectively). This study also revealed a low total score for quality of life among participants with increasing age, retired or not working, and widowed patients. Conclusion: Participants’ quality of life is significantly impacted by CLBP. On both the total level of quality of life and the mental area, it has a very adverse effect.