title: The role of physical status versus mental status in predicting the quality of life of patients with lumbar disk herniation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the role of physical status versus mental status in predicting the quality of life (QOL) of patients with lumbar disk herniation (LDH).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this correlative study 51 patients with LDH were recruited in their conservative stage of treatment. After profiling their physical status, all participants reported about pain level (according to VAS), pain perception using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and disability level (according to Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire). Their mental status was evaluated using the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Their QOL was evaluated by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical status/disability level correlated with anxiety and depression. While Physical status predicted physical QOL, mental status, and mainly anxiety and depression were the significant predictors of psychological, social, and environmental QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mental status may play a significant role in reducing most QOL domains among patients with LDH. The evaluation and intervention process should consider both physical and mental status and their relation to the person's QOL. Since QOL is a major parameter in determining intervention type and success this elaborated perspective may contribute to the intervention planning and outcomes. Implications for rehabilitaion A significant mental distress may accompany the physical disability of patients with LDH. The role of this mental distress in reducing the QOL of patients with LDH may be greater than that of their physical disability. The evaluation and intervention for patients with LDH should refer to both physical and mental status and explore their impacts on quality of life in order to elevate intervention success.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences , University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Batya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Engel-Yeger
authors.affiliation: b Rambam Health Care Campus , Orthopedic Spine Unit , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keren
authors.affiliation: b Rambam Health Care Campus , Orthopedic Spine Unit , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Berkovich
authors.affiliation: c The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine , Technion , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Elad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sarfaty
authors.affiliation: b Rambam Health Care Campus , Orthopedic Spine Unit , Haifa , Israel.|d Assuta Medical Center , Haifa , Israel.
authors.forename: Lior
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Merom
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Lumbar disc herniation; mental status; pain perception; physical status; quality of life