A Hüppe1, H Raspe. 1. Institut für Sozialmedizin , Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland. angelika.hueppe@uk-sh.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic back pain is rarely the sole health problem. Data concerning the association between comorbidities and different stages of chronic back pain in the German adult population are lacking. METHODS: Postal questionnaire data were collected for 3,765 persons (aged 18-75 years) in 4 German cities. Comorbidities and different stages of back pain chronification were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence and number of comorbidities varied with the extent of back pain chronification. Approximately one-third of individuals with a high degree of back pain chronicity (stages 2 and 3) received medical treatment for three or more comorbidities compared to 5% of those without amplified back pain (stage 0). CONCLUSION: Treatment concepts for chronic back pain have to consider comorbidities also present and focusing exclusively on the pain problem seems inappropriate.
BACKGROUND:Chronic back pain is rarely the sole health problem. Data concerning the association between comorbidities and different stages of chronic back pain in the German adult population are lacking. METHODS: Postal questionnaire data were collected for 3,765 persons (aged 18-75 years) in 4 German cities. Comorbidities and different stages of back pain chronification were determined. RESULTS: The prevalence and number of comorbidities varied with the extent of back pain chronification. Approximately one-third of individuals with a high degree of back pain chronicity (stages 2 and 3) received medical treatment for three or more comorbidities compared to 5% of those without amplified back pain (stage 0). CONCLUSION: Treatment concepts for chronic back pain have to consider comorbidities also present and focusing exclusively on the pain problem seems inappropriate.
Authors: Michael Von Korff; Paul Crane; Michael Lane; Diana L Miglioretti; Greg Simon; Kathleen Saunders; Paul Stang; Nancy Brandenburg; Ronald Kessler Journal: Pain Date: 2005-02 Impact factor: 6.961
Authors: Debra K Weiner; Catherine L Haggerty; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Tamara Harris; Eleanor M Simonsick; Michael Nevitt; Anne Newman Journal: Pain Med Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 3.750