The association between self-reported low back pain and lower limb disability as well as the association between neck pain and upper limb disability

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the association between self-reported low back pain (LBP) and lower limb disability as well as the association between neck pain and upper limb disability.
Methods: A hundred twenty-six participants registered as a healthcare staff member were included in this cross-sectional study. The presence of neck and LBP were determined using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Neck and LBP/disability were measured with the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Upper and lower limb disability were measured with the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) and Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), respectively.
Results: Participants reporting LBP had more musculoskeletal complaints in the lower limbs (p<0.001) and similarly participants reporting neck pain also reported more musculoskeletal complaints in the upper limbs (p<0.001). There was a correlation between the ODI and WOMAC in the participant reporting LBP during the 12 months (ρ=0.510, p<0.001) and during the last 7 days (ρ=0.674, p<0.001). The NPAD was correlated with the Quick-DASH in the participants reporting neck pain during the last 12 months (ρ=0.659, p<0.001) and the last 7 days (ρ=0.734, p<0.001).
Conclusion: People reporting more severe LBP also reported high levels of lower limb disability. This association was also existing between the neck pain and upper limb disability.