J Korean Acad Fam Med.  1998 Jan;19(1):16-28.

A Study of Psychogenic Symptoms in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

• Kim KR
• Kim EH
• Jang YS
• Seo YS
• Kim DH
• Shia DH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain(CLBP) is one of the most common afflictions of humans. Between 70% and 80% of the population experience back pain some time during their lives. Especially, back pain is the most common cause of limited activity in individual under age 45.
METHODS
The prepared questionnaire and SCL-MPD(symptom check list-minor psychiatric disorders) were presented to subjects who visited our hospital for occupational routine check. The questionnaire was composed of duration and severity of back pain. The subject were divided into two groups, respectively with chronic low back pain history and without history. The differences of psychogenic symptoms between both groups were analysed.
RESULTS
In general characteristics, there was no significant difference between both groups. There were significant differences in somatization, anxiety, depression, anger-hostilily, phobic anxiety, neurasthenic, hypochondriacal, interpersonal sensitivity and general dimensions between both groups(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in obsessive-compulsive dimension between both groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These results showed the presence of various psychogenic symptoms in chronic low back pain patients. Such psychosocial variables will need to receive additional careful attention in primary care setting.

Keyword

chronic low back pain; SCL-MPD

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Back Pain
Depression
Humans
Low Back Pain*
Primary Health Care
Surveys and Questionnaires