[Gender differences in psychosocial variables in inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation of chronic low back pain].

As females are more often affected by chronic low back pain and psychological impairments than males, it can be assumed that females are more prone to develop chronic pain and have a special need for psychological treatment in orthopedic rehabilitation of chronic low back pain. In realizing a one-factorial design, effects of gender on psychosocial measures were examined in a consecutive sample of N=431 patients with chronic low back pain prior to rehabilitation. Females showed more psychological strain and pain-related impairments than males. Furthermore, the development of chronicity was more advanced in women than men. Evidence suggests increased needs for psychosocial interventions in females compared to males in inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation of chronic low back pain. Additionally, the necessity of a tailored allocation to specific psychological interventions in the rehabilitation of chronic low back pain is emphasized.