Comparison of biopsychosocial factors in obese individuals with and without low back pain

This study was designed to investigate and compare biopsychosocial factors in obese individuals with and without low back pain. Ninety-six obese individuals who met the inclusion criteria were divided in to two groups: those with low back pain (n=40, age=44.65±11.93 years, BMI: 30.00-43.29 kg/m²) and those without low back pain (n=56, age=43.23±11.19 years, BMI: 30.00-47.47 kg/m²). The physical and sociodemographic characteristics of the individuals, level of mobility, severity of low back and leg pain, level of physical performance, and level of disability were considered as biological factors. Presence of anxiety and depression, quality of life, and emotion regulation skills were regarded as psychological factors. Physical activity level and activity status, occupational status, education level, smoking status, self-care, and difficulty in daily activities were recorded as social/life style factors. The severity of back and leg pain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS-10cm), physical performance with the physical performance test battery, disability level with the Oswestry Disability Index, quality of life with the Nottingham Health Profile, emotion regulation skills with the Emotion Regulation Skills Scale, and the level of physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Upon analyzing the data, it was found that in obese individuals with low back pain, the level of performance determined by mobility, weighted forward reach, timed up-go test, and 10-repetition trunk flexion were worse compared to individuals without lowback pain (p<0.05). Quality of life in psychological factors such as pain, physical activity, energy, and total score sub-dimensions, as well as the emotion regulation skills sub-dimension, were also found to be worse in individuals with low back pain (p<0.05). However, social/lifestyle factors were similar between the two groups (p>0.05).These findings demonstrate that low back pain creates biological and psychological differences in obese individuals. Therefore, the treatment approach for obese individuals with low back pain should consider these different biological and psychological dimensions. Taking into account both biological and psychological aspects while planning treatment may serve as guidance for relevant clinicians.