Sunday R Akinbo
University of Lagos, Nigeria
Title: Relationship between pain intensity and sleep (index) parameters in patients with chronic low back pain
Biography
Biography: Sunday R Akinbo
Abstract
Background & Objective: Chronic Low back pain (CLBP) is a common problem that most people experience at some point in their lifetime. It is associated with various physical, emotional, economical and psychological dysfunctions that eventually cause deterioration in quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the relationship between pain intensity and sleep disturbance in patients with CLBP. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey in which 112 patients attending 3 tertiary hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria were evaluated for LBP of duration greater than 3 months. The survey employed a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to determine pain intensity and explore sleep variables respectively. The results were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U. Level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between pain intensity and overall sleep index (r=0.22, p=0.02). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between pain intensity and sleep latency (r=0.26, p=0.00) and sleep disturbance (r=0.27, p=0.00). Conclusion: The study significantly established the adverse effect of CLBP on quality of sleep on patients. Therefore, sleep problems should be addressed as an essential part of management in patients with CLBP