Anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are admitted to acute care hospitals.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the relationship between anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are newly admitted to an acute care hospital setting.


BACKGROUND
Previous studies have supported the idea that anxiety and depression play a significant role in chronic low back pain, but the relationship between anxiety, depression and pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are newly admitted to hospital has not been adequately explored.


METHODS
The study reported here was descriptive correlational in design. The sample was 102 Chinese patients with low back pain who were newly admitted to an acute care hospital in Hong Kong. Data were collected through individual interviews, using an 11-point numerical pain rating scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. In addition, demographic data were identified from the medical record.


RESULTS
There were 48 male and 54 female adult participants in the study. The average anxiety and depression level of the participants was 19.46 (SD 9.02) on a scale of 0-42, which is higher than the normal level. The level of anxiety and depression was significantly positively correlated with pain intensity (r = 0.471, p < 0.0005) and was also a significant predictor of pain intensity (t = 3.918, p < 0.0005, 95% CI 0.050-0.154).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that anxiety and depression are not only associated with pain intensity but that they also, partly, predict pain intensity in patients with low back pain who are newly admitted to an acute care hospital. Relevance to clinical practice. The results of this study support the assessment of and intervention in anxiety and depression symptoms in the provision of pain-relief nursing treatment in patients with low back pain who are admitted to acute care hospitals.
Mok
Long Chau
LC
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, United Christian Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong.
Lee
Iris Fung-Kam
IF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010343:Patient Admission; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires