The difficulties experienced by patients with low back pain in France: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is a major public health concern. Institutions now advocate physical activity and the use of a multidisciplinary approach without specifying its modalities. The aim of this study was to identify the difficulties encountered by patients with chronic, subacute, or recurrent low back pain, in order to define the therapeutic actions to be taken accordingly.

Methods: This is a mixed methods study composed of two quantitative surveys elaborated in France with 117 patients and a qualitative survey based on semi-directed interviews with 4 experts in the field.

Results: Numerous problems inherent to low back pain were identified: pain, functional disabilities, anxiety, feelings of stigmatization, work-related difficulties, sleep disturbance, perplexity with the health care system, de-socialization, disruption of sexual life, and decreased self-esteem.

Conclusions: In response to the multiple domains affected by this pathology, numerous therapeutic actions can be proposed jointly by an interdisciplinary team focused on the patient, such as physical activity, cognitive-behavioral therapies, psychological and socio-professional support, and an adapted pharmacological treatment. Some approaches, such as diet and sleep, are showing interesting results but need to be studied further. Patients should be offered an early adapted support to avoid the passage to chronicity.