Determinants of satisfaction with individual health in male and female patients with chronic low back pain

Abstract

Objective: To examine health satisfaction and its predictors in subjects with and without chronic low back pain.

Subjects: Data for subjects aged 15-64 years were sourced from an Austrian representative population-based nationwide survey including 6,194 men and 6,183 women.

Methods: Health satisfaction and its determinants were assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF).

Results: Prevalence of chronic low back pain was 8.0% (range 7.6-8.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI)) in men and 8.8% (range 8.5-9.2%) in women. The proportion of men, with and without chronic low back pain, who were dissatisfied with their health was 22.5% and 5.7% (p < 0.001), respectively, and in women 28.3% and 5.4% (p < 0.001), respectively. In subjects with chronic low back pain a multi-variate analysis revealed "not needing medical treatment to function in daily life" with odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of 6.3 (2.6-15.3) and 4.2 (2.1-8.5) as the strongest predictor for health satisfaction in men and women, respectively. In men additionally "satisfaction with one's sex life" and "satisfaction with work capacity", OR: 6.6 (2.9-14.8) and 3.7 (1.5-9.3)were predictors for health satisfaction. In women, however "satisfaction with living conditions" OR: 3.7 (1.7-7.9) was an additional predictor.

Conclusion: Important determinants for health satisfaction are aspects of life such as independence and managing daily activities. These aspects can be influenced by existing therapy options.