The relationship between psychosocial distress and disability assessed by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire in patients with chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

In the assessment and treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients, the biopsychosocial model is used worldwide. Psychological distress has been reported to have a strong relationship with disability as measured with several instruments. The relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and self-reported disability measured with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) has not been investigated.

PURPOSE

To analyze the relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the SCL-90-R and self-reported disability measured with the RMDQ in patients with CLBP.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This cross sectional study was performed in an outpatient pain rehabilitation setting.

PATIENT SAMPLE

The study sample consisted of 152 patients with CLBP.

OUTCOME MEASURES

SCL-90-R and RMDQ.

METHODS

All patients admitted for multidisciplinary treatment completed the SCL-90-R and RMDQ before treatment. Pearson's correlation coefficients between SCL-90-R (Global Severity Index and subscales) and RMDQ were calculated.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients between SCL-90-R (Global Severity Index and subscales) and RMDQ ranged from 0.18 to 0.31 (p<.05).

CONCLUSION

The relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the SCL-90-R and self-reported disability measured with the RMDQ in CLBP patients is weak.