Abstract

Background: According to the WHO it is estimated that depression will soon be the leading cause of disease and premature death in the world. There is a connection between chronic pain and mood disorders. Severe pain very often leads to mood disorders. Patients who struggle with pain symptoms may actually suffer from depressive disorders. Research shows that 75-80% of patients meeting the criteria for depressive disorders according to various questionnaires report pain. This is an important topic that requires further research and attention in the physiotherapy practice.
Aim of the study: To obtain knowledge on the prevalence of depression symptoms, scars and low back pain or degenerative disc disease, its prevalence and functional impacts in adults treated in mental health centers in Silesia, Poland.
Material and methods: The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey using a questionnaire technique. Data from 82 adults and 147 questionnaires were analyzed. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ), the Subgroups for Targeted Treatment Back Screening Tool (STarT Back Tool), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), VAS scale and the Quality of Life Assessment Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used.
Results: 92.7% of adults treated for depression symptoms report low back pain. Patients with depression and LBP have significantly lower results in the STarT, ODI and RMDQ questionnaires compared to patients with depression and LBP from lumbar discopathy (p<0.05). In the VAS LBP level, depression level and quality of life – somatic and psychological, no statistically significant differences were observed between the study groups. Quality of life – social and environmental quality of life was significantly p<0.05 higher in the depression and LBP patients compared to the participants with lumbar discopathy.
Conclusion: Functional negative impacts of depression were significantly greater in patients with depression and LBP from lumbar discopathy compared to patients with depression and LBP only. Higher depression level is significantly associated with greater pain, worse quality of life and greater negative impact on daily functioning.

Keywords:Depression symptoms; Depression; Low back pain; LBP; Degenerative disc disease