Psychosocial status, depression, and stress symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation and the relation with disability, pain, and occupational handicap

Twenty female patients with lumbar disc herniation were assessed in order to evaluate their depression, psychosocial status. and stress symptoms and to analyze the relation with activities of daily living, stair activity and walking speed, agility, disability, and occupational handicap. In addition, depression and stress symptoms were also assessed in 20 healthy female subjects. Statistically positive correlations were obtained. Depression was correlated positively with disability, functional limitation, stair activity and walking speed, social isolation, and stress symptoms: psychosocial status was correlated with disability, functional limitation, and pain. (C) 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.