Article

PURPOSE: To investigate the development of pain conditions, disability, and
health-related quality of life over an 8-year period in home care personnel.
METHOD: In earlier studies of 607 women, we reported baseline data concerning
home care personnel. This study reports the results from an 8-year follow-up
using a postal questionnaire. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 87%.
Prevalences of pain in upper back, lower back, and knees as well as pain
intensity of the low back had decreased. Participants with the highest pain
intensities of the low back at baseline had relatively lower pain intensities at
follow-up. Anatomical spreading of pain was associated with higher average pain
intensity. Disability had increased significantly during the time period. In the
regression of disability at follow-up, average pain intensity together with
disability rating index at baseline were the most important regressors; a similar
pattern was found for quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The development of disability
differed from that of low-back pain intensity. Spreading of pain and pain
intensity across the anatomical regions influenced disability and quality of life
over 8 years. When assessing pain, it seems important to determine the spread of
pain rather than just focusing on the area with intense pain. IMPLICATIONS FOR
REHABILITATION: Spreading of pain and the average intensity of pain across the
involved anatomical regions have importance for future pain and disability and
quality of life. The clinical assessment of subjects with chronic pain prior to
rehabilitation interventions has to determine the spreading of pain rather than
just focusing on the area with the most intense pain. The different developments
over time for pain intensity and disability indicate the need for applying a
bio-psycho-social view of pain both when assessing the patient with pain and when
discussing the prognosis and course of the actual pain condition with the
patient.

Langue : ANGLAIS