Depressive symptoms as a risk factor for disabling back pain in community-dwelling older persons.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the presence of depressive symptoms is an independent risk factor for disabling back pain in community-dwelling older persons.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study with a 12-month follow-up period.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
Seven hundred forty-four members of a large health plan who were aged 70 and older and independent in bathing, walking, dressing, and transferring at baseline.


METHODS
The presence of depressive symptoms, defined as a score of 16 or greater on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, was documented during a comprehensive baseline assessment that also included information regarding participants' demographic, medical, and physical/cognitive status. The occurrence of disabling back pain was ascertained during monthly telephone interviews.


RESULTS
Depressive symptoms were present in 153 (20.6%) participants at baseline. Over the 12-month follow-up period, 186 participants (25.0%) reported disabling back pain during 1 to 2 months and 91 (12.2%) during 3 or more months. After adjustment for potential confounders, the presence of depressive symptoms was independently associated with the occurrence of disabling back pain (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.3 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2-4.4) for 1 to 2 months with disabling back pain; AOR=7.8 (95% CI=3.7-16.4) for 3 or more months with disabling back pain).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of depressive symptoms is a strong, independent, and highly prevalent risk factor for the occurrence of disabling back pain in community-dwelling older persons.
Reid
M Carrington
MC
Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA. mcr2004@med.cornell.edu
Williams
Christianna S
CS
Concato
John
J
Tinetti
Mary E
ME
Gill
Thomas M
TM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors