Emotionality and Quality of Life in Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

Introduction: It is well-known that musculoskeletal conditions are related with pain and anxiety. Anxiety is a complex concept that involves a transient state caused by different factors, as well as a persistent mood. Aim: The aim of the study is to reveal the associations between the discomfort caused by some musculoskeletal disorders and the emotionality (anxiety as a trait or a state) on the one hand and, on the other hand, the level of quality of life. Material and method: The study was cross-sectional and was performed in a period of 6 months on an outpatient basis of 174 patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, we have taken into consideration 5 groups of patients, according to the presented medical condition: low back pain, law back osteoporosis, hand osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis. We have administered two scales to all the patients: The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form X1 (anxiety a s a state) and form X2 (anxiety as a trait) and the Quality of Life (QOL) Results: For patients who were diagnosed with low back pain, quality of life was 60.71% of the maximum value. Anxiety by using the S.T.A.I. form X1 at an average value was 46.5, anxiety assessed by the STAI form X2 scale, indicates an average value of 39. In the case of osteoporosis, the value of their quality of life was 90.18%. Anxiety (form X1) was 36, and anxiety (form X2) was 52. For the patients diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis, respectively with knee osteoarthritis, the quality of life were 87.5% and 77.67%, anxiety (form X1) were 41 and 48, anxiety (form X2) were 47 and 61. For patients diagnosed with hand disorders, the quality of life was 81.25%, anxiety (form X1) was 62 and anxiety (form X2) was 47. Conclusions: It was found that in the case of the low back pain, the quality of life had the lowest value (60.71% of the maximum value). In knee osteoarthritis it was found the highest value of anxiety as a trait was 61, and the highest value of anxiety as a condition was found in osteoarthritis of the hand as 62. Keywords: anxiety, quality of life, musculoskeletal disorders,