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Abstract
Purpose: Depression is a common condition in adults with low back pain (LBP), and is associated with poorer patient outcomes. Social support is a modifiable factor that may influence depressive symptoms in people with LBP and, if so, could be a consideration in LBP management when depression is an issue. The aim of this study was to examine social support as a prognostic factor for depressive symptoms and recovery from depression in patients with LBP.
Method: Patients with LBP (n = 483), recruited from four imaging centers in Canada, completed an initial survey following imaging and a follow-up survey one year later, including the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between social support and depression.
Results: More social support (overall functional social support) at baseline was associated with recovery from depression (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.10, 0.55) and less depressive symptoms (β = 1.68; 95% CI = 0.36, 3.00) at one-year follow-up. In addition, associations were found between specific aspects (subscales) of social support and the two depression outcomes.
Conclusions: Functional social support as a prognostic factor for depression and possible target of LBP management warrants further investigation.
Depression is a common condition in adults with low back pain (LBP), and is associated with poorer patient outcomes.
This study provides evidence for social support as a prognostic factor for depressive symptoms and recovery from depression in patients with LBP problems.
Management of pain conditions may be enhanced by a better understanding of modifiable risk factors for depression, such as social support.
Implications for Rehabilitation
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the study participants for generously giving their time, and Laura Gibbons for her assistance with data requests and statistical consultation.
Disclosure statement
The authors confirm that there are no conflicts of interest associated with the publication of this manuscript.
Funding information
Funding for this study was received from the Health Research Fund administered by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research [grant number 20021316-2], the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research [grant number IMH 83326], and the Canada Research Chairs Program.