Background Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health concern and there is a high prevalence of among nurses.

Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the effects of LBP on general health related quality of life(HRQOL)and functional disability in nurses with LBP.

Methods A total of 122 nurses from Medical Practice and Research Hospital completed a demographic questionnaire. HRQOLwas assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). It was used Visual Analogue Scala (VAS) and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire to assess the self-perceived pain and functional disability. HRQOLand functional disability between the nurses who had less pain intensity (VAS scores <, =5) and more pain intensity (VAS scores =,>6) were compared.

Results The age, body mass index, daily and weekly working hours, total working duration (years) and the number of patients given in care of nurses with LBP in two groups (who had less pain intensity and more pain intensity) were similar (p>0.05). Pain intensity was 3.77±1.29 in group I and 7.66±1.13 in group II and it was different between the groups (p<0.001). The nurses who had more pain intensityhad significantly worse scores of functional disability (p<0.001) and general health (p<0.05), physical function (p<0.001), role physical (p<0.001), social function (p<0.05), bodily pain (p<0.001) domains of SF-36 compared to nurses who had less pain intensity.

Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that HRQOLis more seriously affected and becomes worsewith the increment of LBP intensity. LBP also causes functional disability in nurses. Therefore, comprehensive interventions aimed at minimizing the risk of LBP and improving HRQOL and functional status among nurses are needed.

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Disclosure of Interest None Declared