title: Compensation status as a predictor of outcome in nonsurgically treated low back injury.
abstract: Whether the compensation status of patients injured in occupational accidents influences treatment outcome remains a controversial issue. This article describes the treatment outcome status of compensated versus noncompensated patients who received comprehensive functional restoration treatment of low back pain in a hospital-based, interdisciplinary, occupational rehabilitation and pain management program. Results of this investigation revealed treatment outcome differences between the two groups in two of three measures at discharge (subjective pain intensity and return-to-work), and outcome differences in one of five measures at 6-month follow-up (subjective pain intensity). Interestingly, significant group differences in return-to-work rates noted at the time of treatment discharge were not found during the follow-up period, with no group outcome difference in return-to-work rates noted at 6-month follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Pain Therapy Center of Greenville, Greenville Hospital System, SC.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Tollison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019567:Back Injuries; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014942:Workers' Compensation
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics