Predicting recovery using continuous low back pain outcome measures.
BACKGROUND
There is a lack of research evaluating multiple follow-up visits, specifically when using continuous outcome measures. Continuous outcome measures with several follow-up assessments would allow us to evaluate rate of recovery.


OBJECTIVE
To predict low back pain outcomes based on the quantification of initial conditions.


METHODS
This was a prospective study where patients were enrolled within the first month of low back pain symptoms and evaluated for 3 months. Patients were recruited from several primary care facilities.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with local low back pain symptoms were recruited for the study.


METHODS
There were four major outcome measures, including functional performance probability, symptom intensity, impairment of activities of daily living, and a summary outcome measure.


METHODS
Regression models were constructed using the initial conditions, including psychological, psychosocial, physical workplace, and personal factors, to predict the rate of recovery for each outcome measure.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients completed the study. The r2 value for the rate of recovery regression models were 0.77 symptom intensity prediction, 0.85 activities of daily living prediction, 0.87 functional performance probability prediction, and 0.96 summary outcome measure prediction. Two functional performance patterns of recovery were found, including a steady improvement and a large jump in improvement. A discriminant function model identified the pattern of recovery in 91% of cases given initial conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous outcome measures can be accurately predicted given the initial conditions.
Biodynamics Laboratory, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. ferguson.4@osu.edu
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Ferguson
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Gupta
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Marras
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Heaney
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index