Quality of life in patients of low back pain with radiculopathy: A descriptive analytical study from Punjab

ABSTRACT

Background: Low back pain with radicular symptoms is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders and leading cause of disability. Radicular back pain can be defined as a diffuse process affecting more than one underlying nerve root that causes pain and depending on the severity of symptoms may cause loss of sensation and motor function. Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional patient-based outcome criterion which can be used to describe the impact of health condition on the patient as well as the effects of the treatment. Low back pain interferes with QOL and work performance. Aim and Objectives: To analyze the QOL in patients of low back pain with radiculopathy. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 364 low back pain patients and healthy people in Government medical college, Patiala, India, from January 2021 to June 2021. We used SF-36 questionnaire to assess QOL, which allows calculating eight different scores (on a scale of 0–100), a physical component scale (PCS), and a mental component scale (MCS) summary. Mean Mental (MCS) and Physical (PCS) component summary scores were assessed and compared with healthy people involved in the study. Overall, a higher PCS and MCS score indicates better QOL. Results: Out of 364 patients enrolled, 311 patients with mean age of 49.1 ± 11.9 years were included for the study. SF-36 was administered and assessed. The result from this questionnaire showed that mean PCS and mean MCS were significantly lower in the low back pain patients compared to the normative population and were statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients of low back pain with radiculopathy have poor QOL compared to normative individuals. Lower QOL in patients necessitates getting early treatment, educating the patient, and rehabilitation. It is vital to give more attention to the QOL of the patient as it is an untouched domain.