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Chiropractic & Manual Therapies

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Absence of low back pain to demarcate an episode: a prospective multicentre study in primary care

Authors: Andreas Eklund, Irene Jensen, Malin Lohela-Karlsson, Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde, Iben Axén

Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

It has been proposed that an episode of low back pain (LBP) be defined as: “a period of pain in the lower back lasting for more than 24 h preceded and followed by a period of at least 1 month without LBP”. Previous studies have tested the definition in the general population and in secondary care populations with distinctly different results. The objectives of this study (in a primary care population) were to investigate the prevalence of 1) the number of consecutive weeks free from bothersome LBP, 2) the prevalence of at least four consecutive weeks free from bothersome LBP at any time during the study period, and 3) the prevalence of at least four consecutive weeks free from bothersome LBP at any time during the study period among subgroups that reported >30 days or ≤30 days of LBP the preceding year.

Method

In this prospective multicentre study subjects with LBP (n = 262) were consecutively recruited from chiropractic primary care clinics in Sweden. The number of days with bothersome LBP was collected through weekly automated text messages. The maximum number of weeks in a row without bothersome LBP and the number of periods of at least four consecutive weeks free from bothersome LBP was counted for each individual and analysed as proportions.

Results

Data from 222 recruited subjects were analysed, of which 59 % reported at least one period of four consecutive weeks free from bothersome LBP. The number of consecutive pain free weeks ranged from 82 (at least one) to 31 % (9 or more). In subjects with a total duration of LBP of ≤ 30 days the previous year, 75 % reported a period of 4 consecutive weeks free from bothersome LBP during the study period whereas this was reported by only 48 % of subjects with a total duration of LBP of >30 days the previous year.

Conclusion

Prevalence of four consecutive pain free weeks is found in the majority of subjects in this population logically reflects duration of LBP within the sample and may be applied on patients in primary care to demarcate a LBP episode.

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Title: Absence of low back pain to demarcate an episode: a prospective multicentre study in primary care
Authors: Andreas Eklund
Irene Jensen
Malin Lohela-Karlsson
Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde
Iben Axén
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2045-709X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-016-0085-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Absence of low back pain to demarcate an episode: a prospective multicentre study in primary care

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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