Background and aims: 
The objective of this study was to assess difference in the anxiety level in middle age chronic low back pain patients versus sex and age-matched healthy subjects. 
Methods: 
The study sample consisted of 59 patients who had chronic low back pain (LBP) for more than 6 months with pain intensity >3 on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and 63 healthy subjects in control group. Participants were given self-assessment State-Trait Anxiety inventory questioners (STAI), which made possible to determine the degree of participants’ anxiety. 
Results: 
In the study were included middle-aged participants (49.56±14.46 years in LBP group vs. 45.14±10.66 years in control group , t=1.909, p=0.059). There were 33 (55.9%) females and 26 (44.1%) males in LBP group and 35 (55.55%) females and 28 (44.45%) males in control group, with no difference in gender distribution between groups (χ2=0.002, p=0.967). Average pain intensity in the last four weeks was 5.95±1.80 on NRS in the LBP group. Results on STAI state anxiety questioner were significantly higher in the LBP group (40.48±13.41 vs. 32.62±9.62, t=3.678, p<0.001). Significantly higher anxiety scores in LBP group compared to controls were also present in STAI trait anxiety questioner (40.76±12.48 vs. 34.47±10.94, t=2.954, p=0.004). 
Conclusions: 
Both “state” and “trait” anxiety levels are significantly higher in patients with low back pain compared to healthy individuals. Chronic low back pain influences all aspects of peoples life, including anxiety levels and further studies with LBP patients should assess the therapeutic effect of reducing anxiety.

ANXIETY LEVEL IN MIDDLE AGE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN