[Chronic low back pain: multispecialty assessment of 100 patients].
OBJECTIVE
Chronic lower-back pain (CLP) is a common pathology and has a high social and economic impact, especially in primary care where its treatment is changing at present. The results of the multi-disciplinary assessment of 100 patients with chronic lower-back pain are given.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, observational and prospective study.


METHODS
Out-patient clinics of the rheumatology service of a tertiary-level hospital (referral from base districts where there is no primary care rheumatologist).


METHODS
100 consecutive patients seen for back pain lasting for more than 6 months were analysed.


METHODS
There was no therapeutic intervention.


RESULTS
The personal, work, clinical, examination, x-ray, functional and psychological features of 100 patients with CLP were analysed. There were 38 men and 62 women, with average age of 45 +/- 10 years and low social, cultural and job levels. Pain had lasted 82 +/- 7 months and 52% had had time off work. Mean intensity of pain was 6.5 +/- 2.3 (scale of zero to 10). There was vertebral restriction in 16%, and conduct expressing pain on examination in 47%. The x-ray showed disorder in 51%. Functional incapacity was nil or light in 46% and severe in 16%. 74.5% of the patients were depressed; 57% had features of anxiety; and 44% were anxious at the time of the interview.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with CLP are middle-aged, with long-standing pain and frequent time off work. Pain intensity is high, but vertebral restriction, disorders on x-rays and functional incapacity are scant. However, anxiety and depression levels are high. This could suggest a change in how we treat CLP towards a multi-disciplinary approach and psycho-affective, social and labour assessment, both at the time of assessment and in later treatment of patients.
Moyá
F
F
Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona.
Grau
M
M
Riesco
N
N
Núñez
M
M
Brancós
M A
MA
Valdés
M
M
Muñoz-Gómez
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors