Interdependence of marital status and clinical characteristics of morbidity with health-related quality of life among low back pain patients

Study aim: This study investigated the relationship of clinical characteristics of morbidity (CCM) and marital status with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with low back pain (LBP).

Material and methods: A total of 100 subjects with LBP of mechanical origin participated in this study. HRQoL of the participants was measured with the short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire and CCM were categorized based on duration of onset of LBP in weeks into acute (<6 weeks), sub-acute (6–12 weeks) and chronic (>12 weeks). The relationship of CCM and marital status with HRQoL was analysed using Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation.

Results: The outcome of this study showed that CCM correlated poorly and inversely with all domains of HRQoL except mental health, though that was insignificant (p > 0.05). Also, a proportionate but insignificant relationship was found between marital status and domains of HRQoL except physical functioning and role limitations due to physical health problems.

Conclusion: It was therefore concluded that CCM and marital status cannot determine or predict HRQoL among LBP patients, and it might not be necessary to take them into consideration during rehabilitation of these individuals.