ĐẶC ĐIỂM LÂM SÀNG VÀ MỨC ĐỘ HẠN CHẾ CHỨC NĂNG THEO THANG ĐIỂM ROLAND-MORRIS Ở NGƯỜI BỆNH ĐAU THẮT LƯNG MẠN TÍNH

Abstract

Backgrounds: Chronic low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disease, significantly affecting working ability, daily activities, and quality of life. Patients not only suffer from prolonged pain but also have difficulties in daily activities such as walking, bending, changing posture, or performing personal care. Persistent pain may lead to reduced movement, muscle weakness, and increased level of functional limitation. Notably, pain intensity does not always fully reflect the level of impact on movement and daily activities; therefore, a more comprehensive assessment tool is needed.

The Roland–Morris scale is widely used to assess the level of functional limitation in chronic low back pain, helping to more clearly reflect the impact of the condition on patients’ lives compared to measuring pain alone. Describing clinical characteristics and the level of functional limitation is important for orienting treatment, rehabilitation, and monitoring intervention effectiveness. However, in Vietnam, studies using this scale are still limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to describe clinical characteristics and the level of functional limitation according to the Roland–Morris scale in patients with chronic low back pain.

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and assess the degree of functional limitation according to the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire in patients with chronic low back pain. In addition, to determine the relationship between Roland–Morris scores and selected clinical characteristics of the patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on patients aged ≥18 years with chronic low back pain lasting more than 3 months, treated as outpatients; serious spinal pathologies were excluded. Data were collected through interviews using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and the Roland–Morris scale. Clinical variables included pain location, pain intensity (NRS), pain when changing posture, time of pain occurrence, and radiating leg pain. Functional limitation was assessed using the Roland–Morris scale (0–24 points); higher scores indicate greater limitation.

Results: Patients with chronic low back pain were mainly middle-aged to elderly, with a median NRS pain intensity of 6. The most common pain location was bilateral (48.4%). Pain frequently occurred when changing posture, especially standing to sitting (73%), lying to sitting (53.2%), sitting to standing (41.3%), and sitting to lying (32.5%); 42.1% had radiating leg pain.

The median Roland–Morris score was 12, with 95.2% of patients having functional limitation. RMDQ scores had a weak positive correlation with age (rs = 0.18; p = 0.05) and a strong positive correlation with pain intensity (rs = 0.59; p < 0.01). In addition, RMDQ scores were associated with pain when changing posture (sitting to standing, standing to sitting), time of pain occurrence during the day (noon, afternoon), and radiating leg pain (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Patients with chronic low back pain experience significant functional limitation in daily activities. This limitation is associated with age, pain intensity, pain during position changes, time of pain occurrence during the day, and radiating pain to the leg. The Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire is a useful tool for assessing functional limitation and supporting the selection of appropriate rehabilitation interventions.