Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Anesthesiology, Clinical Neurology, Neurosciences & Neurology, biopsychosocial model, chronic low back pain, international patient survey, pain management, psychological comorbidity, RISK-FACTORS, MENTAL-DISORDERS, OLDER-ADULTS, PRIMARY-CARE, PREVALENCE, BURDEN, EPIDEMIOLOGY, WORKPLACE, EUROPE, MISUSE, Analgesics, Opioid, Chronic Pain, Humans, Low Back Pain, Pain Management, Pain Measurement, Prescription Drugs, Surveys and Questionnaires, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 1109 Neurosciences, 1116 Medical Physiology, 3202 Clinical sciences, 3209 Neurosciences, 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of chronic low back pain (CLBP) on patients' personal and professional lives, and management strategies applied to treat CLBP. METHODS: A 60-question survey was developed, and respondents from 16 countries with a self-reported physician's diagnosis of CLBP were recruited via an online market research survey panel. Respondents were stratified as having mild, moderate, or severe pain. Target sample sizes per country and for pain severity were set. Data were weighted according to the known population and prevalence of CLBP in each country and the number of respondents from that country. RESULTS: Results from 9642 CLBP patients indicated that almost a quarter of patients with severe CLBP report a psychological comorbidity. Prescription pain medications were more commonly used by patients with severe CLBP (56%) than those with mild (20%) or moderate (34%) CLBP. Among those with severe CLBP who had been prescribed pain medication, 58% were prescribed opioids, with 1 in 4 patients using opioids for more than 5 years. Patients were primarily managed by general practitioners/primary care physicians, physiotherapists, neurologists, or orthopedic surgeons. CLBP negatively impacted patients' daily activities, social lives, and work productivity. CONCLUSION: Chronic low back pain has pronounced effects on patients' personal relationships, ability to work, and daily living. Almost 1 in four patients with severe CLBP reported a psychological comorbidity. Adherence to guidelines appears inconsistent, which is noteworthy as a substantial subgroup of patients with severe CLBP had been prescribed opioid medication for more than 5 years. Improved education is required to support healthcare professionals (HCPs) in identifying and understanding the complex biopsychosocial needs of CLBP patients to optimize pain management and to encourage referral of CLBP patients to physiotherapists and psychologists.