The purpose of this study was to assess prevalence and severity of insomnia in participants diagnosed with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and to identify factors associated with this insomnia. One hundred CLBP consenting participants were recruited. Sociodemographic, CLBP features and sleep characteristics were collected. Patients answered validated measures of insomnia severity and fatigue. Statistical analysis examined the relationship between insomnia, sociodemographic characteristics of patients and CLBP parameters. Seventy-eight percent of patients suffered from insomnia. Insomnia due to back pain was reported in 64 % of cases. Insomnia was early, middle and late in, respectively, 39, 60 and 41 % of patients. Insomnia was sub-threshold, moderate and severe in, respectively, 34, 42 and 2 % of patients. ISI Global score was at 18.07 ± 7.3. ISI correlated significantly with pain intensity (r = 0.587; p < 0.0001), fatigue level (r = 0.495; p < 0.0001) and body mass index (r = -0.209; p = 0.03). Multiple linear regression models have revealed that pain intensity (β = 1.984; 95 % CI (1.517-2.451); p < 0.0001) and fatigue (β = 0.284; 95 % CI (0.192-0.377); p < 0.0001) were the strongest determinants for predicting insomnia in CLBP patients. Our study suggests that the prevalence of insomnia is important in CLBP patients, occurring especially at the middle of sleep. Insomnia was essentially sub-threshold or moderate. Back pain and fatigue experienced by patients were the strongest factors associated with this insomnia.

This study aims to explore patient's concerns when discussing sexual problems caused by chronic low back pain with their healthcare provider. It also aims to identify factors influencing and limiting such communication. A cross-sectional analysis of 100 consenting chronic low back pain sexually active patients was carried out. Patients answered questions on their disease characteristics and sex life. They also mentioned prohibitions of discussing sex with their healthcare provider and their expectations of such discussion. Factors influencing patient's experiences were analyzed. Median of chronic low back pain duration was 36 (24-72) months and back pain intensity using visual analogical scale (0-100 mm) was 50 ± 10.7 mm. Eighty-one percent of our patients complained of sexual problems, 66 % have never discussed the subject with their healthcare provider. Barriers which prevent discussion on sex include the taboo character of the topic, inappropriateness of visit conditions, and patient disinterest in sex. Ninety-three percent of patients expressed the need of sexual problems' management in chronic low back pain consulting. Seventy-four percent expected information and advice from their healthcare provider about recommended intercourse positions so as to avoid pain. Thirty-three percent of patients wanted their partner to be involved in the discussion and 81 % preferred talking with a healthcare provider of the same gender. Ability to communicate on the topic was associated with the decrease of patient sexual satisfaction and limited by patient illiteracy. Our study evidences that sex discussion between patient and healthcare provider is restricted by several barriers and that patients expect more involvement from their healthcare provider on the subject. Illiteracy and level of sexual satisfaction seem to be the strongest factors influencing this communication.

BackgroundSexual life had an important role in preserving the good quality of life for patients and for their partner. Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) as other musculoskeletal diseases may affect all aspects of life including sexual functioning. The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of CLBP on the sexual life of patients and to identify the factors that affect their Sexual Quality of Life (SQOL).MethodsOne hundred CLBP sexually active patients were included. Patients and disease Characteristics were collected. Impact on sexual life (sexual intercourse and SQOL) was also assessed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to analyze significant determinants associated with the SQOL disturbance.ResultsEighty one percent of our patients complained about sexual difficulties related to CLBP. Libido decrease and painful intercourse position were reported respectively in 14.8 and 97.5% of cases. The most pain generating position was supine. Mean of sexual intercourse frequency decrease was at −10.4 ± 4.8 per month. SQOL score mean was at 44.6 ± 17.4%. Men suffered more than women from sexual problems (respectively 90% vs. 72%; p = 0.02). Men had worse SQOL than women (respectively 38.9 ± 17.2 vs. 50.3 ± 15.7%; p = 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that advanced age (p = 0.009), poor functional status (p = 0.03), male gender (p = 0.03) and sexual intercourse frequency decrease (p = 0.005) were the independent variables associated with the SQOL disturbance.ConclusionOur study suggests that sexuality is profoundly disturbed in CLBP patients; both their sexual intercourse and SQOL were affected. This disturbance seems to be associated with patient and disease characteristics. Sexuality should be taken into account in managing CLBP patients.

Fatigue is a frequent symptom during ankylosing spondylitis (AS) often under estimated which needs to be measured properly with respect to its intensity by appropriate measures, such as the multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF). The aims of this study were to translate into the classic Arabic version of the MAF questionnaire and to validate its use for assessing fatigue in Moroccan patients with AS. The MAF contains 16 items with a global fatigue index (IGF). The MAF was translated and back-translated to arabic, pretested and reviewed by a committee following the Guillemin criteria (J Clin Epidemiol 46:1417-1432, 1993). It was then validate on 110 Moroccan patients with AS. Reliability for the 3-day test-retest was assessed using internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). External construct validity was assessed by correlation with pain, activity of disease and other keys variable. The reproducibility of the 15 items was satisfactory with a kappa statistics of agreement superior to 0.6. The ICC for IGF score reproducibility was good and reached 0.98 (IC 95%, 0.96-0.99). The internal consistency was at 0.991 with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The construct validity showed a positive correlation between MAF and the axial (r = 0.34) and peripheral (r = 0.32) visual analogical scale, the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) (r = 0.77), the first item of BASDAI (r = 0.85), the functional disability by the Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (r = 0.64), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.43) and the C reactive protein (r = 0.30) (for all P < 0.001). There was no statistical correlation between MAF and the other variables. The Arabic version of the MAF has good comprehensibility, internal consistency, reliability and validity for the evaluation of Arabic speaking patients with AS.

Objectives: Previous researches have investigated depression in postmenopausal women (PMW) with osteoporosis and fractures, but little is known regarding Moroccan PMW without fractures. We investigated depression prevalence and severity in Moroccan PMW with osteoporosis without fractures and its relationship with quality of life (QoL) and physical and psychological state. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 100 PMW with osteoporosis without fractures. Depressive symptoms, QoL, self-esteem, and fatigue were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Arabic version of ECOS-16 questionnaire, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Arabic version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale, respectively. A questionnaire including sociodemographic factors, bone density features, pain intensity, and sleep disturbance was completed. Results: Overall, 58% patients suffered from depression and 55% from pain (63.8% depressed women vs. 42.9% nondepressed patients; P = 0.03). Bone mineral density, lumbar spine T-score, ECOS-16, and self-esteem in depressed and nondepressed women were 0.