Associations of Co-Occurring Chronic Conditions With Use of Rehabilitation Services in Older Adults With Back Pain: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to examine the associations of number and type of chronic conditions with the use of rehabilitation services among older adults with bothersome back pain.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study using the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a longitudinal survey of Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years. We included community-dwelling older adults with bothersome back pain in 2015. We assessed 12 self-reported chronic conditions, including arthritis, depression, and anxiety. We used 2016 data to ascertain self-reported use of any rehabilitation services in the prior year. We used weighted, logistic regression to examine the association of conditions with rehabilitation use.

RESULTS

The sample size was 2443. A majority were age ≥75 years (59%); female (62%); and White, non-Hispanic (71%). The median number of chronic conditions was 3 (interquartile range, 2-4). Arthritis was the most common chronic condition (73%); 14% had anxiety; and 16% had depression. For every additional chronic condition, adjusted odds of any rehabilitation use increased 21% (Odds Ratio = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.11-1.31). Those with ≥4 chronic conditions had 2.13 times higher odds (95% CI = 1.36-3.34) of any rehabilitation use in the next year versus those with 0-1 condition. Participants with arthritis had 1.96 times higher odds (95% CI = 1.41-2.72) of any rehabilitation use versus those without arthritis. Anxiety and depression were not significantly associated with rehabilitation use.

CONCLUSIONS

Among older adults with back pain, a greater number of chronic conditions and arthritis were associated with higher use of rehabilitation services. Those with anxiety or depression had no difference in their use of rehabilitation care versus those without these conditions.

IMPACT

This pattern suggests appropriate use of rehabilitation for patients with back pain and multiple chronic conditions based on greater need, but there may be potential underuse for those with back pain and psychological conditions.