Reliability and construct validity of the modified Finnish version of the 9-item patient health questionnaire and its associations within the biopsychosocial framework among female health-care workers with sub-acute or recurrent low back pain

Abstract

Background

Health-care workers have an increased risk for chronic low back pain (LBP) leading to reduced workability. Depression, a highly prevalent, costly and disabling condition, is commonly seen in patients with sub-acute LBP. This study investigated the psychometric properties and construct-validity of a modified 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9-mFIN) in female health-care workers with sub-acute LBP.

Methods

Reliability (internal consistency, test-retest repeatability) was assessed using standard methods. Construct validity of the PHQ-9-mFIN was assessed as level of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9-mFIN: 0–4 none, 5–9 mild, ≥10 at least moderate) against the RAND 36 Health Survey, a valid measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Additionally, the strength of the association between the levels of PHQ-9-mFIN and selected biopsychosocial factors was determined.

Results

The internal consistency of the PHQ-9-mFIN was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.82) and the test-retest repeatability scores ( n = 64) were moderate: Pearson’s correlation was 0.73 and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) 0.73 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.82). Construct validity (Spearman correlation) against the Physical and Mental component items and their summary scales of the RAND 36 were much higher for the Mental (range, − 0.40 to − 0.67 and − 0.64) than for the Physical (range, − 0.08 to − 0.43 and − 0.22). There was a clear stepwise association ( p < 0.001) between the levels of depressive symptoms and General health (physical component, range, 59.1 to 78.8). The associations with all items of the Mental components were strong and graded ( p < 0.001). All participants had low scores for Bodily pain, regardless of the level of depressive symptoms. There was a strong association ( p ≤ 0.003) between the levels of PHQ-9-mFIN and multisite pain, lumbar exertion and recovery after workdays, neuromuscular fitness in modified push-ups, workability, and fear of pain related to work.

Conclusions

The PHQ-9-mFIN showed adequate reliability and excellent construct validity among female health-care workers with recurrent LBP and physically strenuous work.

Trial registration

NCT01465698.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-020-03832-y.