Biopsychosocial factors associated with chronic low back pain-related activity limitations in Burundi

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is an increasing burden worldwide. The biopsychosocial factors associated with CLBP-related activity limitations have not yet been investigated in Burundi.

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the biopsychosocial factors that influence the CLBP-related activity limitations in a Burundian sample population.

Method: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 58 adults with nonspecific CLBP from Bujumbura city. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used to investigate the association between biopsychosocial factors and CLBP activity limitations. Sequential multiple regression analyses were subsequently used to predict CLBP activity limitations.

Results: Fifty-eight individuals with a mean age of 41.3 ± 10.20, 58.6% of female gender, were recruited. The univariate and bivariate analyses demonstrated that educational level, gender, healthcare coverage, profession, height, pain intensity, depression and physical fitness were significantly associated with CLBP-related activity limitations (p range, < 0.001 to < 0.05). The multivariate regression analysis showed that the significant biopsychosocial factors accounted for 49% of the variance in self-reported activity limitations. Predictors of activity limitations were education level (β = −0.369; p = 0.001), abdominal muscle endurance (β = −0.339; p = 0.002) and depression (β = 0.289; p = 0.011).

Conclusions: Our study provides evidence of biopsychosocial factor associations with CLBP-related activity limitations in Burundi. Evidence-based management and prevention of CLBP in Burundi should incorporate a biopsychosocial model.

Clinical implications: Biopsychosocial factors should be regularly evaluated in people with chronic low back pain and efforts to improve the burden of chronic low back pain in Burundi should take these factors into account.