Levels of Disability and Risk of Chronification of Neck Pain among Patients Attending Nakuru Level 5 Hospital

Abstract

Neck pain is a major health concern that is often underestimated, despite being a leading cause of disability. In Kenya, the levels of disability and the risk of chronification of neck pain are not well understood, leading to a generalized approach in its clinical management, which may hinder effective treatment outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the Levels of Disability and Risk of Chronification of Neck Pain Among Patients Attending Nakuru Level 5 Hospital. This analytical cross-sectional study, conducted in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines, involved 124 eligible participants. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze functional aspects across socio-demographic variables, while Spearman’s Rho test and ordinal logistic regression assessed the relationships and their strength between variables. Results were interpreted at a significance level of 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The majority of participants were females (64.5%), with 54.0% aged 36 and above. Utilizing the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire, findings revealed that 58.9% were at moderate risk of chronification, 32.3% were at high risk, and 8.9% were at low risk. Assessment of neck disability, using the Neck Disability Index, the results showed that 50% had moderate disability, 41.9% severe disability, 6.5% mild disability, and 2.4% complete disability. The findings revealed a predominant moderate to high-risk profile for neck pain chronification, indicating a vulnerability to developing chronic neck pain. The study demonstrated moderate to severe disability levels of neck pain among participants. A moderate inverse relationship was observed between the risk of chronification and the degree of neck pain-related disability. Additionally, the study identified a higher prevalence of neck pain in females compared to males, with increased pain intensity and chronicity predominantly affecting individuals aged 36 and above. The results have implications on the importance of early screening and timely pain management in preventing the progression of acute neck pain to chronic conditions. Clinicians should focus on strategies that prioritize pain reduction and functional improvement to minimize long-term disability. Additionally, raising public awareness about the significance of early detection and proactive management can greatly reduce the future burden of chronic neck pain.