BMJ Study Looks at Course and Markers of Chronicity of LBP

More than 1/3 of patients with recent onset chronic low back pain [without leg pain] recover within 12 months, say authors of a study aimed at describing the course of chronic low back pain and identifying prognostic markers at the onset of chronicity. However, the prognosis is less favorable for patients who have taken previous sick leave for low back pain, have high disability levels or high pain intensity at onset of chronic low back pain, have lower education, perceive themselves as having a high risk of persistent pain, and were born outside Australia.

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ARTICLE ABSTRACT

Oct 10, 2009 7:30 AM - Researchers followed a subgroup (406 participants) of a larger group (973 consecutive patients) presenting to primary care clinics in Sydney, Australia, with acute low back pain of less than 2 weeks' duration whose pain persisted for 3 months. Outcomes and probable predictors were measured at initial presentation, onset of chronicity (study entry), and follow-up at 9 and 12 months. Recovery was determined from measures of pain intensity, disability, and work status.

The cumulative probability of being pain-free was 35% at 9 months and 42% at 12 months. Cumulative probability for complete recovery was 35% at 9 months and 41% at 12 months. Of the 259 participants who had not recovered from pain-related disability at entry to the chronic study, 47% had recovered by 12 months.

The study was published in the October 6 issue of BMJ.