title: Lumbar disc screening using back pain questionnaires: oswestry low back pain score, aberdeen low back pain scale, and acute low back pain screening questionnaire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of back pain questionnaires for lumbar disc screening among Korean young males.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a survey for lumbar disc screening through back pain questionnaires among the volunteers with or without back pain. Three types of back pain questionnaire (Oswestry Low Back Pain Score, Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale, and Acute Low Back Pain Screeing Questionnaire) were randomly assigned to the examinees. The authors reviewed lumbar imaging studies (simple lumbar radiographs, lumbar computed tomography, and magnetic resolutional images), and the severity of lumbar disc herniation was categorized according to the guidelines issued by the Korean military directorate. We calculated the relationship between the back pain questionnaire scores and the severity of lumbar disc herniation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The scores of back pain questionnaires increased according to the severity of lumbar disc herniation. But, the range of scores was very vague, so it is less predictable to detect lumbar disc herniation using only back pain questionnaires. The sensitivity between the back pain questionnaires and the presence of lumbar disc herniation was low (16-64%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening of lumbar disc herniation using only back pain questionnaires has limited value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Do Yeon
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Chong Oon
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Korea; Low Back Pain; Mass Screening; Questionnaires