To investigate the association between vertebral endplate signal changes (VESC) and low back pain (LBP). This prospective observational study included 344 persons (161 men and 183 women) sampled from the Danish general population. All participants had an MRI and filled in questionnaires at the age of 40 and again at the age of 44. The following LBP outcomes were used: “LBP past month,” “LBP past year,” and “non-trivial LBP”. The type and size of VESC at each endplate level were evaluated using a standardized evaluation protocol. Associations between VESC and LBP were investigated using logistic regression analysis.Purpose
Methods and materials
The incidence of backpain is unknown in children because studies have been cross-sectional or longitudinal with few follow-ups of long intervals. Children cannot be expected to remember past events of backpain correctly. Therefore data-collection must be undertaken with short intervals and using other methods than questionnaires only. The 1208 children from grade 0 to grade 4, who participated in an intervention study (increased physical activity vs. “business-as-usual”) were followed with standardized questions submitted with weekly text-messages (SMS-Track). If they answered “yes” to backpain in the past week, their parents were called up, and the child was seen in person by health personnel. “Backpain” included any type of spinal pain.Background
Methods and material
It is generally acknowledged that low back pain (LBP) is a common condition already in childhood. However, not many studies have looked at the way LBP tracks over age and how common it is until early adulthood. The purposes of this presentation are to show the prevalence estimates at three different ages (9,13,15) and how the LPB reporting tracks over these age groups.Background
Purposes
The outcome of studies on back pain is usually measured at specific intervals (1 month, 3 months, etc.) However, because LBP is a recurring condition it would be more relevant to identify outcome in relation to course over time. A new data collection tool was recently developed (SMS-Track), allowing this to be done.
present the SMS-Track system give some examples of how the course pattern varies between patients with back pain.Background
Aims
There is concern that a sedentary lifestyle in childhood is harmful to spinal health. The literature stands divided, as there are reports also of an increased injury rate in children who are physically active. Children cannot be expected to remember correctly amount of physical activity in the past nor can they remember correctly past events of backpain. We therefore used a new method, SMS-Track, to collect weekly data over a long period of time. In a prospective Danish study, the effect of increased physical activity was tested vs. “business-as-usual” in 10 primary schools. We collected data on time spent on physical activities and any backpain in the preceding week. For this we sent the children weekly text-messages, to which the children/parents responded with a text-message as well. If the child reported having had any backpain during the preceding week, the parents were contacted, the child seen by a health professional, and treatment initiated if necessary.Background
Methods and material
By systematic literature review, to quantify the association between vertebral endplate signal changes (VESC) and non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SveMED databases were searched for the period 1984 to June 2009. Articles were included which investigated the association between VESC and NSLBP and reported sufficient data to construct two-by-two tables. Articles on specific low back pain conditions were excluded. A standardised data collection and quality assessment were performed. To estimate the association between VESC and NSLBP, two-by-two tables were created and exact odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta-analysis was performed on homogeneous studies.Purpose
Materials and methods
The ‘Subgroups for Targeted Treatment back tool’ (STarT) is supposed to divide patients with low back pain (LBP) into three groups with different risks of non-recovery. The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate whether these groups exist among Danish chiropractor patients, and if so 2) to test if the groups differ on psychological profile as measured by the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), and the Fear-Avoidance-Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ). Questionnaires were handed out to LBP patients aged 18 – 65 years in 19 chiropractor clinics during a 4 weeks period. Patients were anonymous and returned the completed forms in a sealed envelope. Associations between the risk groups and MDI, CSQ, and FABQ were tested by means of linear regression.Background
Methods
The prevalence estimates of LBP are so far well documented. However, only few longitudinal studies have described the variability of LBP in the same population over time. Therefore, little is known about the course of LBP at the individual level. The aim of this study was to describe changes in low back pain (LBP) reporting over an eight-year period in a cohort of adult Danes.Background
Purpose
The aim of this study was to describe, by means of weekly measures, the course of low back pain (LBP) in chiropractic patients. The primary outcome was number of days with bothersome pain, which was analyzed for association with known predictor variables (gender, leg pain, occupation and self rated health). Patients were followed for six months. A novel approach is used: short message services, SMS, sent to the respondents' mobile phones. Using specifically designed software, respondents received an SMS every week, which they responded to also using SMS. The question was: “How many days this previous week has your low back pain been bothersome (i.e. affected your daily activities or routines)? Please answer by a number from 0 to 7.” Baseline variables were collected during the chiropractic consultation. Patients were further assessed at the 4th visit. A follow-up questionnaire was sent to the respondents at the end of the six months. The associations of the primary outcome with baseline variables were investigated using mixed linear models.Aim
Method
The aim of this study was to describe the development of disc related MRI-findings in patients with sciatica treated conservatively using a validated evaluation protocol.
Three percent of bulges and 38% of focal protrusions improved, whereas 75 – 100% of the more substantial herniations, i.e. broad-based, extrusions, and sequestrations improved (p<
0.0001). Improvement over time for nerve root compromise was seen in 60% of the cases. Disc signal, disc height, and HIZ remained unchanged in 63–73%. Treatment and age groups did not show any differences. However, gender differences were found in relation to baseline findings and development over time.
