Anders Thelin, Sara Holmberg, Nils Thelin
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0205

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of unspecific neck pain and low back pain at a given time (1990–91) with respect to physical and social functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems 12 years later.
Methods: A rural male study population (2351 individuals) was established in 1989 and a first survey conducted in 1990–91. A follow-up survey was performed in 2002–03. A total of 1405 persons participated in both surveys. Functioning and role limitations in 2002–03 were evaluated using the SF-36 instrument. Several possible confounders were included in the analyses.
Results: Unspecific neck pain or low back pain in 1990–91 was shown in a multivariate longitudinal regression model to be significantly related to limited physical (odds ratio (OR)=2. 08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1. 51–2. 87) and social (OR=1. 92; 95% CI 1. 33–2. 75) functioning 12 years later. The effects were only slightly modified by the confounders analysed. However, higher education independently and significantly predicted a low risk for functional limitations.
Conclusion: Non-specific neck pain and low back pain at a given time impacted on the risk of limited physical and social functioning many years later. Current symptoms of depression and anxiety at the time for the second survey had a high impact on functional limitations.