[The complex clinical picture of lumbar discopathy in a prospective survey].
BACKGROUND
The primary symptom of discopathy lumbalis is low back pain. Nowadays, low back pain is the most often cause of medical examinations worldwide. It affects almost 80 per cent of the population. It is the most frequent disease in rheumatological consulting rooms, and the fifth most frequent in family practice.


OBJECTIVE
The target of my examination was to compare the acute and chronic clinical features of lumbalis discopathy, to define its risk factors and to present the major guidelines used in diagnosing the disease.


METHODS
The author surveyed fifty patients using a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised each patient's occupation, the formation of the disease, the therapy adopted, the diagnosis, and the risk factors.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients had acute symptoms and twelve of them had to be operated on with discus hernia. Eight out of the twelve operated patients underwent a computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance examination. 47 per cent of the patients with acute symptoms only had the x-ray exams. In 32 per cent of the patients, the complaints evolved into a chronic disease. 84 per cent of the operated patients still need a regular conservative treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In the process of diagnosing, symptoms are authoritative. Two-directional x-ray exams are always needed, a computer tomography or magnetic resonance examination is may be also considered reasoned in clinically stagnating cases before operations. Such examinations are superfluous in cases when complaints ease after a few days. Risk factors such as the anatomical variations and abnormal growth of the spine, lack of exercise, jobs involving sitting or standing positions as well as bending and lifting play an important role in the process which may turn the disease into a chronic one.
Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Reumatológiai és Fizioterápiás Tanszéki Csoport, Budai Irgalmasrendi Kórház I. Reumatológiai Osztály.
Réka
R
Selyem
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed