Utilization of medical services for the treatment of acute low back pain: conformance with clinical guidelines.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the utilization of diagnostic and therapeutic medical services for the management of acute low back pain in a primary care setting, and to determine whether such utilization conforms to suggested guidelines for the management of this condition.


METHODS
A retrospective chart audit of consecutive cases of acute low back pain. Specific elements of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach were judged appropriate or inappropriate based on comparison with published recommendations supported by the medical literature.


METHODS
The primary care adult practice of a university-affiliated health maintenance organization.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-three patients presenting with acute low back pain of musculoskeletal origin.


RESULTS
According to suggested guidelines for the care of acute low back pain, 26% of plain lumbar x-rays (10/38), 66% of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (12/18), and 82% (23/28) of subspecialty referrals were categorized as inappropriate. Among patients without indications for these services, 12% (10/85) had received lumbar x-rays, 7% (12/168) had received lumbar MRI or CT scans, and 14% (23/168) had received subspecialty referrals. Underutilization of these services had occurred in 71% (70/98) of patients with an indication for plain lumbar radiography, and 47% (7/15) of patients with potential indications for surgical referral or CT/MRI scanning. Neither overutilization nor underutilization had led to adverse outcomes or delays in diagnosis in this small sample.


CONCLUSIONS
According to guidelines from the medical literature, the primary care physicians in this study both overutilized and underutilized diagnostic and referral services in cases of acute low back pain. It is necessary to determine whether underutilization of plain lumbar radiography adversely affects diagnostic accuracy and whether overutilization of other services improves important clinical outcomes, given the generally benign natural history of this condition.
Schroth
W S
WS
Department of Health Care Sciences, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
Schectman
J M
JM
Elinsky
E G
EG
Panagides
J C
JC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011859:Radiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data