Evaluation of Depression in Subacute Low Back Pain: A Case Control Study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disorderaffecting the general population and it is believed to be associated with depression.Objective: The study aim was to describe and compare the impact in a sample ofpeople with subacute LBP (SLBP) and patients without LBP with normalized referencevalues in the light of the scores obtained with regard using the Beck DepressionInventory (BDI).Study Design: This was a case-control study.Settings: Physiotherapist area at a care center.Methods: A sample of 164 participants of a mean age of 41.45 ± 0.97 came to aphysical therapy clinic where self-reported data were registered, informants’ professionalactivity was determined, and the scores obtained were compared in the BDI.Results: Total BDI scores at SLBP and their controls were 21.52 ± 6.93 (11 – 43) and17.30 ± 5.09 (11 – 30), respectively (P < 0.001). The SLBP patient has 2.12 times morelikely to have moderate depression (OR 2.12 (1.07 – 4.18) and 18.82 times more likelyto have serious depression (OR 18.82 (1.06 – 331.81) compared to their controls (P <0.05).Limitations: The study was not a randomized controlled trial. Although primaryoutcome data were self-reported, the assessor was not blinded.Conclusions: People with SLBP also have a significant increase in depression based onBDI scores, regardless of gender.Key words: Depression, low back pain, musculoskeletal diseases