The Relationship Between Health Locus of Control and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Aim: To investigate the relationship between health locus of control and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain.

Material And Methods: Pain intensity by visual analog scale, quality of life related to health by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) assessment and disability level by Turkish version of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated. Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) for the perception to responsibility and control of the individual over his/her own health was used.

Results: Patients were separated into two groups according to the scores of ODI as group with Low Disability [0-40 minimal/moderate disability; n=53] and group with High Disability [40-100 severe disability /crippled/bedbound/ exaggerating; n=60]. Scores of chance health locus of control (CHLC) in the subscale of MHLC were significantly higher in the patients who had high disability (p < 0.05). Negative correlation between CHLC scores and all domains of WHOQOL, positive correlation between CHLC scores and disability level and pain severity was found (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Quality of life was negatively influenced in the patients with low back pain who had chance health locus of control. LOC is an important parameter in evaluation and treatment of patients with LBP.