Impact of low back pain on quality of life among elderly

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of lowback painon quality of life (QOL) among elderly attended at musculoskeletal unit inCRP. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore thesociodemographic information such as age, gender, co-morbidity, occupation, type of pain, to investigate any association between age category, painintensity and 8 domain of SF-36 over all health related quality of life amongelderly with low back pain. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted with a semi structured questionnaire to collect data. Total 110samples were selected conveniently for this study fromCentre for therehabilitation of the paralyzed (CRP), Musculoskeletal unit at Savar. Painintensity was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS in 10 cm) and healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed by the (SF- 36v2) health surveyquestionnaire. The study was analysed by descriptive and inferential analysis using SPSS 20.0 version. Results: In this research minimumage of theparticipants was 50 years and maximum age was 70 years with mean age55.47 and SD 5.686. Pain intensity was mild among 6%(n=7) participants, 41% (n=45) had moderate pain, 53% (n=58) had severe pain. Asignificant association has found between age category of the participants and physical functioning (χ2=4.615, p=.03*), energy (χ2= 14.410, p=.00*), general health(χ2=11.115, p=.00*), pain (χ2=4.013, p=.04*) and emotion (χ2=4.798, p=.02*). A significant relatioship has found between actual age of theparticipants and grand total of SF-36 (r= -.584, p=.00*). Conclusion: Painamong elderly is a common condition which has an influence on physical andpsychological aspects of quality of life (QOL). LBP has a negative impact onQOL. LBP significantly limits of a person’s activity such as physical functioning, role limitation due to physical health, social functioning, emotional well-being, energy,bodily pain and general health. Key words: Quality of life, Low back pain, SF-36.