Factors that impact functional performance of elderly with low back pain

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is a common condition among older adults and an important cause of disability. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between functional performance of older adults with low back pain and the following variables: sociodemographic and clinical factors, self-perceived health and back pain beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used data from the Back Complaints in the Elders international consortium. Information about sociodemographic factors (sex, age, marital status, formal education), clinical factors (intensity and frequency of pain, comorbidities), self-perceived health, back pain beliefs and functional performance (measured by the disability component of the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument - LLFDI) were collected through self-report. 191 older adults above 60 years with a new episode of back complaints who did not have any cognitive disorder, visual or hearing impairment, or motor disabilities participated in the study. A bivariate analysis was conducted between each independent variable and each outcome. Associations with p < 0.20 were selected for the multiple linear regression analysis, which was carried out for each LLFDI domain. Results: The multiple regression coefficients of determination were significant despite the modest magnitude. The variables related to functional performance were back beliefs, self-perceived health, formal education, pain frequency and marital status. Conclusion: These results may contribute to the expansion of health professionals’ work in the therapeutic approach of low back pain, broadening its focus beyond clinical aspects in order to value beliefs of older adults and their self-perceived health.

Determinants of healthcare utilisation for low back pain: A population‐based study in Ethiopia

“…This is because individuals’ LBP beliefs affect their pain perception, interpretation, pain‐related behaviour and coping mechanisms and treatment response, all of which, in turn, impact the outcomes of LBP (Igwesi‐Chidobe, Sorinola, Kitchen, & Godfrey, ). For example, in a study by Guerra, Dias, Pereira, Assis, and Assis (), LBP individuals with negative beliefs about the pain were found to have worse functional performance and activity limitations.…”

Associação da autopercepção da qualidade de vida e saúde, prática de atividade física e desempenho funcional entre idosos no interior do Brasil

“…Maiores escores da autopercepção de saúde foram associados a uma menor limitação para realizar atividades 30 . Por outro lado, estudo em população rural no nordeste brasileiro não apontou associação significativa entre autopercepção da saúde e incapacidade funcional, sendo observadas associações entre incapacidade funcional e doenças crônicas como hipertensão arterial e cardiopatia.…”

“…De forma semelhante à presente investigação, outros estudos apontaram que a funcionalidade está diretamente ligada a autopercepção do estado geral de saúde 30,32,33 . Estudo de coorte realizado com idosos de 60 a 69 anos em região rural da Noruega destacou que, após 11 anos, uma baixa autopercepção da saúde e depressão foram fatores de risco para a necessidade de assistência em uma ou mais atividade de vida diária 32 .…”