Fatigue and depression in sick-listed chronic low back pain patients.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship between fatigue and pain has been investigated previously, but little is known about the prevalence of substantial fatigue in patients sick-listed for chronic low back pain (CLBP) and about how fatigue is associated with depression, pain, and long-term disability. The aims of the study were to examine the prevalence of substantial fatigue; associations between fatigue, depression, and pain; and whether fatigue predicted long-term disability.


METHODS
Five hundred sixty-nine patients participating in a randomized controlled trial and sick-listed 2-10 months for LBP were included in the study. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted to investigate the prevalence and independent associations between fatigue, depression, pain, and disability, while longitudinal analyses were done to investigate the association between fatigue and long-term disability.


RESULTS
The prevalence of substantial fatigue was 69.7%. Women reported significantly more fatigue than men (t = -3.6, df = 551; P < .001). Those with substantial fatigue had higher pain intensity (t = -3.3, df = 534; P = 0.01), more depressive symptoms (t = -10.9, df = 454; P < 0.001), and more disability (t = -7.6, df = 539; P < 0.001) than those without substantial fatigue. Musculoskeletal pain and depression were independently associated with substantial fatigue. In the longitudinal analyses, fatigue predicted long-term disability at 3, 6, and 12 months' follow-up. After pain and depression were controlled for, fatigue remained a significant predictor of disability at 6 months' follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The vast majority of the sick-listed CLBP patients reported substantial fatigue. Those with substantial fatigue had more pain and depressive symptoms and a significant risk of reporting more disability at 3, 6, and 12 months. Substantial fatigue is disabling in itself but also involves a risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome and long-term disability.
Friskvernklinikken, Asker, Norway.
Hildegun
H
Snekkevik
Hege R
HR
Eriksen
Tone
T
Tangen
Trudie
T
Chalder
Silje E
SE
Reme
D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018582:Sick Leave
Depression; Disability; Fatigue; Low Back Pain