Investigation of functional disability, depression and quality of life according to pain intensity in patients with cervical radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy (CR) causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Pain is an important symptom affecting patients. This study aimed to compare neck disability, functional disability, depression, and quality of life according to pain severity in patients with CR and to examine the relationship between them. Sixty-three patients with CR with mild pain (25 patients, 43.44±10.42 years) and moderate/severe pain (38 patients, 43.97±11.11 years) according to the visual analog scale (VAS) were included. Disability (Neck disability index (NDI)), functional disability (Cervical radiculopathy impact scale (CRIS)), depression (Beck depression inventory (BDI)), and quality of life (Short form-12 (SF-12)) were evaluated. The groups\' baseline features were similar (p>0.05). The moderate/severe pain group had statistically significantly higher NDI, CRIS-symptoms, CRIS-actions and activities, and BDI scores than the mild pain group (p<0.05). The moderate/severe pain group had statistically significantly lower SF-12 general health, physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health subparameter scores than the mild pain group (p<0.05). Also, there was a correlation between VAS and NDI, CRIS and BDI, and a negative correlation was found with SF-12 subparameters (p<0.05). CR patients with moderate/severe pain had increased neck and functional disability, higher levels of depression, and worse quality of life compared to patients with mild pain. Furthermore, increased pain intensity was associated with increased disability, depression, and worse quality of life. Therefore, pain and associated factors should be assessed in patients with CR for appropriate management.