The relation of social support and depression in patients with chronic low back pain.
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. Implications for Rehabilitation 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.
['McKillop|Ashley B|AB|', 'Carroll|Linda J|LJ|', 'Jones|C Allyson|CA|', 'Battié|Michele C|MC|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D002170:Canada D003863:Depression D005260:Female D006801:Humans D017116:Low Back Pain D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D015999:Multivariate Analysis D011446:Prospective Studies D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales D012044:Regression Analysis D012307:Risk Factors D012944:Social Support D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
social support depression prognostic Chronic back pain cohort study