Examination of the regression model to quantify the degree of low back pain and lower limb symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ).

Hayato Ishitani,Toshiyo Tamura,Shigehiko Kanaya,Hiroshi Fujimoto,Grace O'Connell

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243861

Abstract

The Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) was created to evaluate specific treatment outcomes in terms of physical functioning, social ability, and mental health in patients with back pain-related diseases. In this study, we investigated whether the JOABPEQ could be used to construct a regression model to quantify low back pain and lower limb symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). We reviewed 114 patients with LDH scheduled to undergo surgery at our hospital. We measured the degrees of 1) lower back pain, 2) lower limb pain, and 3) lower limb numbness using the visual analog scale before the surgery. All answers and physical function data were subjected to partial least squares regression analysis. The degrees of lower back and lower limb pain could be used as a regression model from the JOABPEQ and had a significant causal relationship with them. However, the degree of lower limb numbness could not be used for the same. Based on our results, the questions of the JOABPEQ can be used to multilaterally understand the degree of lower back pain and lower limb pain in patients with LDH. However, the degree of lower limb numbness has no causal relationship, so actual measurement is essential.

Highlights

Lower back pain leads to physical function and pathology problems and impairs activities of daily living (ADL) and causes psychological problems [1]
We examined whether a regression model showing the degree of low back pain and lower limb symptoms could be constructed from the answers from the JOABPEQ
According to the results of the partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis, the degree of lower back pain had an average value of 54.60 mm, Q2 = 0.144, R = 0.292; the degree of lower limb pain had an

Summary

Introduction

Lower back pain leads to physical function and pathology problems and impairs activities of daily living (ADL) and causes psychological problems [1]. The importance of evidence-based medicine has been emphasized, and various evaluation criteria require quantitative data regarding physical functions. It has been reported that low back pain treatment requires physiotherapy to improve function and willingness and adaptability to fight the disease on the part of patients and empathize on the part of the physician [2, 3]. Pain sensitivity depends on individual pain experience. Differences in pain thresholds and pain expression arise from differences in age, gender, and cultural background. The pain threshold varies between individuals from similar backgrounds, depending on physical, psychological, and social situations

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