Knowledge related to low back pain and its associated factors in patients with low back pain: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Patients’ knowledge about low back pain (LBP) negatively influences LBP prognosis. Studying the extent of patients’ knowledge about LBP may help clinicians design effective LBP treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the level of LBP knowledge and its associated factors in patients with LBP.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study with a representative sample. Participants with acute or chronic LBP completed a self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. We used the Low Back Pain Knowledge Questionnaire (LBP_KQ) to assess knowledge, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire for LBP (FABQ_LBP) to assess fear of movement, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to assess functional disability, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 21) to assess mental health status, and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) to assess pain intensity.

RESULTS:

A total of 271 individuals with LBP completed the study. The mean age of participants was 39.86 ( $\pm$ 11.27), the LBP chronicity median was 18 (IQR $=$ 44) months, and 56.5% of the participants were females. The mean LBP_KQ score was 9.29 ( $\pm$ 3.89)/24. An educational level higher than high school (diploma education ( $\beta =$ 1.202 [95%CI: 5.633 to 11.498], $p<$ 0.001), bachelor or higher education ( $\beta =$ 2.270 [95%CI: 1.107 to 3.433], $p<$ 0.001)), and using pain killers ( $\beta =$ 1.180 [95%CI: 0.140 to 2.221], $p=$ 0.026) were significantly associated with higher LBP_KQ score. While being employed ( $\beta =-$ 1.422 [95%CI: $-$ 2.462 to $-$ 0.382], $p=$ 0.008) and having higher DASS Anxiety score ( $\beta =-$ 0.144 [95%CI: $-$ 0.240 to $-$ 0.048], $p=$ 0.003) were significantly associated with lower LBP_KQ score.

CONCLUSIONS:

Individuals with chronic LBP in Jordan demonstrated relatively low levels of LBP knowledge related to their condition. Rehabilitation personnel, healthcare stakeholders, and policymakers should carefully monitor the level of LBP knowledge and its associated factors.