Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common complaints of patients referred to the clinics. Studies indicated that psychosocial factors have great impact on the patients’ complaints and disability. The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of psychiatric illness among patients with chronic low back pain. Materials & methods: Study was conducted on 300 patients who were diagnosed to be suffering from CLBP that lasts longer than 12 weeks. Socio-demographic Performa were filled containing the basic information about the patient. Full psychiatric assessment was done in these patients to assess the psychiatric illness. All the data were recorded and analyzed by SPSS software Version 17. Results: Psychiatric illness was found to be present in 63.3 percent of patients (190 patients). Depression was the most common psychiatric illness among CLBP patients. Generalized anxiety disorder was found to be present in 20 patients. Conclusion: Screening of CLBP patients for psychiatric illness is necessary since psychopathology may affect prognosis, outcome and health care utilization. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of these disorders may improve the outcome of CLBP. Key words: Chronic low back pain, Psychiatric illness