STUDY DESIGN: This was a stratified, random telephone survey of adults in North Carolina. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chronic low back pain and the extent to which treatment is sought for this condition. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic low back pain is a major problem. Previous studies often have combined acute and chronic back pain. METHODS: Telephone interviews regarding back pain were conducted with 4437 North Carolina adults during 1992. RESULTS: Chronic back pain affects 3.9% of the North Carolina population. Thirty-four percent considered themselves permanently disabled and 52% assessed their overall health as fair or poor. The median number of bed-disability days per year was three. Seventy-three percent saw a health care provider. Of those who sought care, 91% saw a medical doctor, 29% saw a physical therapist, and 25% saw a chiropractor. Use of technology was extensive: 37% received a computed tomography scan, 25% received a magnetic resonance imaging scan, and 10.4% underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic back pain is common, and the level of care-seeking and costs of care among those afflicted are extremely high.
STUDY DESIGN: This was a stratified, random telephone survey of adults in North Carolina. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chronic low back pain and the extent to which treatment is sought for this condition. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic low back pain is a major problem. Previous studies often have combined acute and chronic back pain. METHODS: Telephone interviews regarding back pain were conducted with 4437 North Carolina adults during 1992. RESULTS:Chronic back pain affects 3.9% of the North Carolina population. Thirty-four percent considered themselves permanently disabled and 52% assessed their overall health as fair or poor. The median number of bed-disability days per year was three. Seventy-three percent saw a health care provider. Of those who sought care, 91% saw a medical doctor, 29% saw a physical therapist, and 25% saw a chiropractor. Use of technology was extensive: 37% received a computed tomography scan, 25% received a magnetic resonance imaging scan, and 10.4% underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS:Chronic back pain is common, and the level of care-seeking and costs of care among those afflicted are extremely high.
Authors: S Samuel Bederman; Hans J Kreder; Iris Weller; Joel A Finkelstein; Michael H Ford; Albert J M Yee Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2009-08 Impact factor: 2.089
Authors: F B Milan; C Landau; D R Murphy; J J Balletto; T Sztykowski; J A Hart; C H Rybeck; M G Cyr Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 1998-08 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Janet K Freburger; Timothy S Carey; George M Holmes; Andrea S Wallace; Liana D Castel; Jane D Darter; Anne M Jackman Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 2009-02-15
Authors: Luciola da C Menezes Costa; Christopher G Maher; James H McAuley; Mark J Hancock; Robert D Herbert; Kathryn M Refshauge; Nicholas Henschke Journal: BMJ Date: 2009-10-06