Lumbopelvic pain associated with catastrophizing and fear-avoidance beliefs in early pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine and compare levels of catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, physical ability, and health-related quality of life in women with and without lumbopelvic pain (LP and NLP) in early pregnancy.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of early pregnancy.


METHODS
Five midwife clinics, one in the center, two in the outskirts of Stockholm, and two in a medium-sized town.


METHODS
Three hundred and twenty-four women in the 19th-21st week of pregnancy.


METHODS
Questionnaires.


METHODS
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale of exaggerated negative thoughts about pain experiences, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire of beliefs about how physical activity and work affect back pain, the Disability Rating Index of physical ability, and the Nottingham Health Profile to assess health-related quality of life.


RESULTS
Two groups were defined: LP (n=141) and NLP (n=183). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparisons. Pregnant women with LP had significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of exaggerated negative thoughts and fear-avoidance beliefs. They also had lower physical ability and health-related quality of life compared to women in the NLP group.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to consider exaggerated negative thoughts about pain experiences and fear-avoidance beliefs when treating women with LP during pregnancy and to be aware of the great impact lumbopelvic pain has on women's lives during early pregnancy.
Olsson
Christina
C
CeFAM, Stockholm County Council, Huddinge, Sweden. christina.b.olsson@sll.se
Buer
Nina
N
Holm
Kerstin
K
Nilsson-Wikmar
Lena
L
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires