Factors Associated With Disability in Postpartum Lumbopelvic Pain

Postpartum lumbopelvic pain may affect functional ability, daily activities, physical performance, psychological well-being, and health-related quality of life. The aim of this observational cross-sectional study is to investigate clinical, biomechanical, psychological, and biochemical factors associated with functional disability in women with postpartum lumbopelvic pain.

Approximately 45 women aged 18 to 50 years who are 6 to 15 months postpartum and have persistent low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain will be enrolled. General functional disability will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and pelvic-girdle-specific symptoms and activity limitations will be assessed using the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). Pain intensity during activity, at rest, and at night will be evaluated using visual analogue scales (VAS).

Psychological status will be evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the physical and mental component scores of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Biomechanical assessments will include diastasis recti abdominis and trunk muscle endurance using flexor endurance, extensor endurance, prone plank, right side-plank, and left side-plank tests.

Mode of delivery will also be recorded. Biochemical evaluation will include circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and cortisol. The study will examine the relationships between functional disability and these clinical, biomechanical, psychological, and biochemical variables.