21/07/2023
MORE EVIDENCE EMERGES CONNECTING SMOKING WITH CHRONIC LBP. A 2023 study published in the International Journal of Public Health has uncovered further evidence linking smoking with pain, dysfunction, depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).
A cross-sectional study divided patients into smoking and non-smoking groups. The research team investigated the association between smoking and pain, dysfunction and psychological status in patients with CLBP. Not only did it find a positive association, but also a strong association between the amount of ci******es smoked and pain, depression and fear beliefs around CLBP.
The study concluded that smoking was linked to the aggravation of symptoms in patients with CLBP, suggesting that people with CLBP and people at risk of LBP should be aware of the harm caused by smoking.
WFC Public Health Committee chair, Dr Claire Johnson, commented: “Discussing smoking with patients may at first seem strange. But if you think about it, why would anyone stand by and allow a patient to do something that is harmful and not warn them? The evidence is clear, smoking harms spinal health and chiropractors have an opportunity and responsibility to inform their patients.”
Reference: Yang QH, Zhang YH, Du SH, Wang YC, Wang XQ. Association Between Smoking and Pain, Functional Disability, Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain. Int J Public Health. 2023 Mar 7;68:1605583.
