The Impact of Low Back Pain and Physical Activity on Mental and Physical Health Outcomes in Older Adults With Arthritis

Abstract

Abstract Nearly 50% of Americans aged 65 and above have been diagnosed with arthritis at any point in time, and an estimated 80% of adults experience low back pain (LBP) at some point in their lives. However, little is known about the experience of LBP in older adults with arthritis and whether or not it is related to adverse mental and physical health outcomes over and above those linked to arthritis. This study examined the relationship between LBP and four associated physical and mental health conditions (depression, insomnia, mobility limitations, and self-rated health) in older adults with arthritis. We also examined whether physical activity mediated the relationships between LBP and these four conditions. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests assessed whether there were demographic differences between persons with and without LBP. Binary logistic regressions found that participants with LBP were 30% more likely to endorse insomnia (95% confidence interval (CI) =1.1 to 1.5, p<.001), had 40% higher odds of depression (95% CI=1.1 to 1.6, p<.001), and 70% higher odds of poor self-rated health (95% CI=1.5 to 1.9, p<.001) than those without LBP. Activity mediated the relationship between LBP and the four health outcomes in unadjusted models. Findings indicate that LBP may be associated with adverse mental and physical health in older adults with arthritis, and treatment for older adults with arthritis and comorbid LBP should include interventions targeting LBP and routine assessment of mental and physical health.