Back problems, comorbidities, and their association with wealth

Background contextStudies assessing the economic burden of back problems have given little consideration to the presence of comorbidities.PurposeTo assess the difference in the value of wealth held by Australians who have back problems and varying numbers of chronic comorbidities.Study designA cross-sectional study.Patient sampleIndividuals aged 45 to 64 years in 2009: 4,388 with no chronic health conditions, 1,405 with back problems, and 3,018 with other health conditions.Outcome measureTotal wealth (cash, shares, superannuation, investment property, and owner occupied home).MethodsUsing a microsimulation model (Health&WealthMOD), logistic regression models were used to assess the odds of having any wealth. Linear regression models were used to assess the difference in the value of this wealth.ResultsThose with back problems and two comorbidities had 0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.42) times the odds and those with back problems and three or more comorbidities had 0.20 (95% CI: 0.11–0.38) times the odds of having accumulated some wealth than those with no chronic health conditions. Those with back problems and three or more comorbidities had a median value of total wealth of around $150,000, whereas those with back problems only and back problems and one comorbidity had a median value of total wealth of around $250,500. There was no significant difference in the amount of wealth accumulated by those with back problems and at least one comorbidity and those with other health conditions and the same number of comorbidities. However, those with only one health condition (excluding back problems) had 65% more wealth than those with back problems only (95% CI: 5.1–161.2).ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of considering multiple morbidities when discussing the relationship between back problems and economic circumstances.