We investigated the relationship among symptoms, depression and health-related quality of life (QOL) in the patients with lumbar canal stenosis by using pass analysis in an exploratory manner (n=253, mean age 71). The proposed model, where the severity of leg pain and/or numbness increases with the deterioration of walking ability, resulting in decreasing physical QOL and worsening depressive tendency worse, leading to decreasing mental QOL, showed a good fit (good fitness index=0.945). As a result, it has been suggested that the physical symptoms of lumbar canal stenosis may promotion of an impacts on not only physical QOL but also mental QOL through depressive tendency. Our finding recommends that screening for depression and providing mental care and support, as well as treatment for the symptoms of lumbar canal stenosis are necessary.
