Quality of life, and quality of sleep in the working population with chronic low back pain: A 2-year follow-up

Chronic low back pain is a frequent medical condition, and a major problem especially among the working population, because it influences their working ability. The research aimed to evaluate the influence of pain on quality of life (QoL), and quality of sleep (QoS) in patients suffering from chronic low back pain, during 2 years of follow-up. The study included 128 patients. Patients were tested on 4 occasions (on admission, after 6, 12, and 24 months from initial testing). Based on age, they were divided into 3 groups: I group 18 to 30 years; II group 30 to 50 years; III group 50 to 65 years. The SF36 QoL questionnaire, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the Hamilton scales for the assessment of anxiety (HARS) and depression (HDRS) were used. We did not find any statistically significant correlation between worse QoL and QoS with patients' epidemiological factors, but younger patients tend to have slightly worse scores. Elderly patients were more disabled (P <.01). In young individuals, SF36 scores were significantly higher (P <.05), and PSQI scores were lower (P <.01) than in the elderly. Neuropathic pain was an independent predictor of the lower SF36 scores - which indicates worse QoL (adjusted R2 = 0.73, P <.01 for the overall model) and higher PSQI scores - which indicates worse QoS (adjusted R2 = 0.71, P <.01 for the overall model). Neuropathic pain is a predictor of worse QoL and QoS. During the follow-up reduction in pain is noticed in all groups, but more pronounced in patients younger than 50.