title: Patients' and Physiotherapists' Views on Triggers for Low Back Pain.
abstract: METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare patients' and physiotherapists' views on triggers for low back pain (LBP) and to identify any novel factors not previously reported.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Most research on risk factors for LBP is guided by the views of clinicians and researchers, not patients. Consequently, potentially valuable information about risk factors for LBP is not available from those suffering the condition. This study aimed to compare patients' and physiotherapists' views on triggers for LBP and to identify any novel factors not previously reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred two physiotherapists and 999 patients with a sudden, acute episode of LBP participated in this study. Participating physiotherapists were asked to nominate the most likely short-term risk factors to trigger a LBP episode. Similarly, patients were asked what they thought had triggered their onset of LBP. Responses were coded into risk factor categories and subcategories by 2 independent researchers. Endorsement of each category was compared using the Pearson Chi-square statistic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients and physiotherapists endorsed biomechanical risk factors as the most important risk factor category (87.7% and 89.4%, respectively) and had similar levels of endorsement for 3 of the top 5 subcategories (lifting, bending, and prolonged sitting). There were significant differences in endorsement of awkward postures (13.4% vs 1.2%; P < 0.001) sports injuries (15.9% vs 4.7%; P < 0.001), physical trauma (3.4% vs 9.2%; P < 0.001), and unaccustomed activity (2.3% vs 7.3%; P < 0.001) by patients and physiotherapists, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, patients' and physiotherapists' views were remarkably similar. Both patients and physiotherapists endorsed lifting as the most important trigger for LBP and agreed on 3 of the top 5 (lifting, bending, and prolonged sitting). No new risk factors were suggested by patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  2.
authors.affiliation: *The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia†Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil‡School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steffens
authors.forename: Manuela L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Latimer
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blyth
authors.forename: Chris G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Maher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires