In a study of 1499 patients over six years in a general practice, an association was found between a history of low-back pain and a history of psychological illness, in several demographical groups. The association was strongest in patients of both sexes, aged 35–44, and in women aged 55–74. Patients with a history of low-back pain were more likely to have had a diagnosis of ‘anxicty’ than non-low-back-pain patients, whereas there was no significant difference in the incidence of ‘depression’ between those with, and those without, low-back pain.