The relationship between psychosocial distress and disability assessed by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire in patients with chronic low back pain.
BACKGROUND
In the assessment and treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients, the biopsychosocial model is used worldwide. Psychological distress has been reported to have a strong relationship with disability as measured with several instruments. The relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and self-reported disability measured with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) has not been investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the SCL-90-R and self-reported disability measured with the RMDQ in patients with CLBP.


METHODS
This cross sectional study was performed in an outpatient pain rehabilitation setting.


METHODS
The study sample consisted of 152 patients with CLBP.


METHODS
SCL-90-R and RMDQ.


METHODS
All patients admitted for multidisciplinary treatment completed the SCL-90-R and RMDQ before treatment. Pearson's correlation coefficients between SCL-90-R (Global Severity Index and subscales) and RMDQ were calculated.


RESULTS
Correlation coefficients between SCL-90-R (Global Severity Index and subscales) and RMDQ ranged from 0.18 to 0.31 (p<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the SCL-90-R and self-reported disability measured with the RMDQ in CLBP patients is weak.
Schiphorst Preuper
Henrica R
HR
Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.002, 9750 RA Haren, The Netherlands. h.r.schiphorst.preuper@cvr.umcg.nl
Reneman
Michiel F
MF
Boonstra
Anne M
AM
Dijkstra
Pieter U
PU
Versteegen
Gerbrig J
GJ
Geertzen
Jan H B
JH
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011584:Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires