Natural history of individuals with asymptomatic disc abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging: predictors of low back pain-related medical consultation and work incapacity.
METHODS
Prospective study on individuals with asymptomatic lumbar disc abnormalities detected in magnetic resonance imaging.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the natural history of asymptomatic disc abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging and to identify predictors of future low back pain-related medical consultation and work incapacity.


BACKGROUND
The natural history of individuals with asymptomatic disc herniations has not been well established, but the high rate of lumbar disc alterations recently detected in asymptomatic individuals by magnetic resonance imaging demands reconsideration of a pathomorphology-based explanation of low back pain and sciatica.


METHODS
Forty-six asymptomatic individuals who had a high rate of disc herniations (73%) were observed for an average of 5 years (range, 54-72 months). Four classes of variables (medical data including magnetic resonance imaging-identified disc abnormalities, general psychological factors, physical job characteristics, and psychosocial aspects of work) were assessed at baseline and follow-up.


RESULTS
Disc herniations and neural compromise did not significantly worsen at follow-up, whereas disc degeneration progressed in 17 individuals (41.5%). Minor episodes of low back pain occurred in 19 individuals (41.3%), 6 of whom had to seek medical treatment and 5 of whom had to stop work temporarily. The requirement for low back pain-related medical consultation was predicted with high accuracy by listlessness, job satisfaction, and working in shifts (P < 0.001). Work incapacity was best predicted by physical job characteristics, job disaffection, and working in shifts (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Physical job characteristics and psychological aspects of work were more powerful than magnetic resonance imaging-identified disc abnormalities in predicting the need for low back pain-related medical consultation and the resultant work incapacity. However,the conclusions are still preliminary, and replication of the findings in larger and more representative study samples is needed.
Boos
N
N
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Zurich, Switzerland. nboos@balgrist.unizh.ch
Semmer
N
N
Elfering
A
A
Schade
V
V
Gal
I
I
Zanetti
M
M
Kissling
R
R
Buchegger
N
N
Hodler
J
J
Main
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D012803:Sick Role