Background & Aims

•Low Back Pain (LBP) is the leading global causes of disability across all age groups & gender. In Nepal, annual prevalence of 52-71% with point prevalence as high as up to 91%. Psychosocial factors, including fear-avoidance behavior, expectation of passive treatment, and negative pain beliefs, are known as risk factors for the development of chronic LBP. Pain is associated with social, cultural, psychological, ethnic, economic, personal factors (Biopsychosocial model). The fear of movement and activities is an important psychological factor that should be addressed during the treatment for better clinical outcome. Pain-related fear is one of interacting factors responsible for transition from acute pain to chronic pain. It can be measured by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) and the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) (2, 9).The aim of our study is to study socio-demographics of low back pain patient and to evaluate psychosocial factors associated with pain.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Physiotherapy department of Annapurna Neurological Institute and Allied health sciences using non-probability Convenience Sampling. The study was conducted in 100 individuals (Female: 52%) with LBP and patient information on LBP duration, pain diagram, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire were obtained.

Results

The study involved 100 individuals, predominantly females (52%), experiencing chronic low back pain (LBP) with a mean age of 38.74 years and a median symptom duration of 660 days. The majority were Hindu (86.6%), with diverse ethnicities. Education levels varied, with 4.04% uneducated and 30.30% having graduated. Occupationally, 31% were office workers, 17% in business, 15% farmers, 7% housewives, 5% students, and 25% in other roles. Thirty-six percent had co-morbidities, and 69% reported joint pain alongside LBP. Radiating pain was noted in 68.70%, with 63% experiencing daily pain. Smoking history was present in 12.1%, and 30% left their jobs due to pain. The mean FABQ-work subscale was 22.47, FABQ-physical activity was 16.55, and the mean TSK score was 43.12.

Conclusions

Finding from our study suggests that psychosocial risk factors are prevailed in low back pain patients in Nepal. Nepalese patients tend to have high kinesiophobia/ movement related fear. Data from our study shows patients have more physical activity related fear avoidance behaviour. However, work related fear avoidance behaviour was found to be less than cutoff score. It is necessary for clinicians to identify specific psychosocial risk factors and address it for effective management of LBP.

References

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Presenting Author

Mukesh Pokharel

Poster Authors

Mukesh Pokharel

PG student, MSK

kathmandu University school of medical sciences, Dhulikhel Hospital

Lead Author

Bidur Bhurtel

BPT

National Academy of Medical Sciences(NAMS)

Lead Author

chandra Bahadur Khatri

MPT

Nepal Government

Lead Author

Avinash chandra

MD

Bir Hospital /Annapurna Neurological Instititute and Allied Health sciences(ANIAS)

Lead Author

Samir Acharya

MS

Annapurna Neurological Instititute and Allied Health sciences(ANIAS)

Lead Author

Basant Pant

MS

Annapurna Neurological Instititute and Allied Health sciences(ANIAS)

Lead Author

Topics

  • Mechanisms: Psychosocial and Biopsychosocial