title: Are self-reported pain characteristics, classified using the PainDETECT questionnaire, predictive of outcome in people with low back pain and associated leg pain?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate whether the PainDETECT Questionnaire (PDQ) classification was predictive of outcomes at 3 and 12 months follow-up in low back pain (LBP) patients with associated leg pain. Identification of clinically important subgroups and targeted treatment is believed to be important in LBP care. The PD-Q is designed to classify whether a person has neuropathic pain, based on their self-reported pain characteristics. However, it is unknown whether this classification is a prognostic factor or predicts treatment response.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-five participants were recruited in the secondary care. Inclusion criteria were 3 to 12 months of LBP and related leg pain. Baseline PDQ scores classified participants into 3 groups ("likely" to have neuropathic pain, "uncertain," and "unlikely") but did not affect treatment decisions. The outcome measures were LBP, leg pain, activity limitation, and self-reported general health. Scores were compared between those with "likely" neuropathic pain (neuropathic group) and "unlikely" (non-neuropathic group), using Mann-Whitney, Friedman, and χ tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, the neuropathic group had worse scores on all outcome measures, and analgesic use, sick leave, and sense of coherence (P = 0.000 to 0.044). At 3 months and 12 months, both groups improved (P = 0.001 to 0.032). However, the groups remained different at each time point on all outcome measures (P = 0.000 to 0.033) except LBP (P = 0.054 to 0.214).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PDQ classification was a prognostic factor but was not predictive of response to treatment that was not targeted to neuropathic pain. Further studies should investigate whether PD-Q groups are predictive of treatment response when targeted to neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Spine Centre of Southern Denmark, Middelfart, Denmark. lars.morsoe@slb.regionsyddanmark.dk
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morsø
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Hanne B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010146:Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult