Premium
Depressive Symptoms as a Risk Factor for Disabling Back Pain in Community‐Dwelling Older Persons
Author(s) -
Reid M. Carrington,
Williams Christianna S.,
Concato John,
Tinetti Mary E.,
Gill Thomas M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51554.x
Subject(s) - medicine , risk factor , depressive symptoms , gerontology , psychiatry , physical therapy , anxiety
Objectives: To determine whether the presence of depressive symptoms is an independent risk factor for disabling back pain in community‐dwelling older persons. Design: Prospective cohort study with a 12‐month follow‐up period. Setting: General community. Participants: Seven hundred forty‐four members of a large health plan who were aged 70 and older and independent in bathing, walking, dressing, and transferring at baseline. Measurements: The presence of depressive symptoms, defined as a score of 16 or greater on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale, was documented during a comprehensive baseline assessment that also included information regarding participants' demographic, medical, and physical/cognitive status. The occurrence of disabling back pain was ascertained during monthly telephone interviews. Results: Depressive symptoms were present in 153 (20.6%) participants at baseline. Over the 12‐month follow‐up period, 186 participants (25.0%) reported disabling back pain during 1 to 2 months and 91 (12.2%) during 3 or more months. After adjustment for potential confounders, the presence of depressive symptoms was independently associated with the occurrence of disabling back pain (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.3 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2–4.4) for 1 to 2 months with disabling back pain; AOR=7.8 (95% CI=3.7–16.4) for 3 or more months with disabling back pain). Conclusion: The presence of depressive symptoms is a strong, independent, and highly prevalent risk factor for the occurrence of disabling back pain in community‐dwelling older persons.