Cross-sectional assessment of factors associated with functional capacity in patients with low back pain attending family medicine outpatient clinics
- 1Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Family Medicine Clinics – Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
SUMMARY: OBJECTIVE:: Low back pain is a common health problem that may lead to functional limitations and disability, restricting daily activities, reducing work productivity, and adversely affecting social participation and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with functional capacity in patients with low back pain attending family medicine outpatient clinics.
METHODS:: This single-centre, cross-sectional study included 250 patients aged 18–65 years with chronic low back pain. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, chronic diseases, medication use, and low back pain characteristics. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and functional capacity was assessed using the Back Pain Functional Scale.
RESULTS:: In the univariable analyses, lower Back Pain Functional Scale scores were observed in women, participants aged ≥55 years, individuals with obesity, housewives, those with lower educational attainment and income, and those with chronic diseases (all p<0.05). Back Pain Functional Scale scores were negatively correlated with pre-treatment Visual Analog Scale scores (Spearman's ρ=−0.419, p<0.001). In the multivariable analysis, male sex was independently associated with higher Back Pain Functional Scale scores, whereas higher body mass index, greater pain intensity, and reporting heavy lifting as the aggravating factor were independently associated with lower Back Pain Functional Scale scores (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION:: This study identified several factors associated with functional capacity in patients with low back pain. Higher body mass index, greater pain intensity, and heavy lifting as an aggravating factor were independently associated with poorer functional capacity. These findings may help clinicians identify patients at increased risk of functional impairment and support comprehensive assessment and management of low back pain.
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BibTeX
@article{arslan2026crosssectional,
title = {{Cross-sectional assessment of factors associated with functional capacity in patients with low back pain attending family medicine outpatient clinics}},
author = {İsmail Arslan and Şeyma Ceylan and Duygu Yengil Taci},
journal = {Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1590/1806-9282.20260621},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722375},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cross-sectional assessment of factors associated with functional capacity in patients with low back pain attending family medicine outpatient clinics
AU - İsmail Arslan
AU - Şeyma Ceylan
AU - Duygu Yengil Taci
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)
DO - 10.1590/1806-9282.20260621
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722375
AB - SUMMARY: OBJECTIVE:: Low back pain is a common health problem that may lead to functional limitations and disability, restricting daily activities, reducing work productivity, and adversely affecting social participation and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with functional capacity in patients with low back pain attending family medicine outpatient clinics. METHODS:: This single-centre, cross-sectional study included 250 patients aged 18–65 years with chronic low back pain. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, chronic diseases, medication use, and low back pain characteristics. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and functional capacity was assessed using the Back Pain Functional Scale. RESULTS:: In the univariable analyses, lower Back Pain Functional Scale scores were observed in women, participants aged ≥55 years, individuals with obesity, housewives, those with lower educational attainment and income, and those with chronic diseases (all p<0.05). Back Pain Functional Scale scores were negatively correlated with pre-treatment Visual Analog Scale scores (Spearman's ρ=−0.419, p<0.001). In the multivariable analysis, male sex was independently associated with higher Back Pain Functional Scale scores, whereas higher body mass index, greater pain intensity, and reporting heavy lifting as the aggravating factor were independently associated with lower Back Pain Functional Scale scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:: This study identified several factors associated with functional capacity in patients with low back pain. Higher body mass index, greater pain intensity, and heavy lifting as an aggravating factor were independently associated with poorer functional capacity. These findings may help clinicians identify patients at increased risk of functional impairment and support comprehensive assessment and management of low back pain.
SN - 0104-4230
SN - 1806-9282
ER -