title: Can a self-administered questionnaire identify workers with chronic or recurring low back pain?
abstract: To verify if the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and physical examination of the lumbar spine can identify workers with chronic or recurring low back pain, using health history for reference. Fifty office workers of both sexes, aged between 19 and 55 yr, were evaluated using a standardized physical examination and the NMQ, VAS and RDQ. Discriminant analysis was performed to determine the discriminant properties of these instruments. A higher success rate (94%) was observed in the model including only the NMQ and in the model including the NMQ and the physical examination. The lowest success rate (82%) was observed in the model including the NMQ, RDQ and VAS. The NMQ was able to detect subjects with chronic or recurring low back pain with 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity. The NMQ appears to be the best instrument for identifying subjects with chronic or recurring low back pain. Thus, this self-reported questionnaire is suitable for screening workers for chronic or recurring low back pain in occupational settings.
authors: Laboratory of Preventive Physical Therapy and Ergonomics (LAFIPE), Physical Therapy Post Graduate Program, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil.
authors: Karina Satiko
authors: KS
authors: Takekawa
authors: Josiane Sotrate
authors: JS
authors: Gonçalves
authors: Cristiane Shinohara
authors: CS
authors: Moriguchi
authors: Helenice Jane Cote Gil
authors: HJ
authors: Coury
authors: Tatiana de Oliveira
authors: Tde O
authors: Sato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult