[Grading of backache].

Back pain is occurring in a broad spectrum of severity; therefore, a grading procedure which is derived from a sound conceptual basis and can be easily applied is of crucial importance in clinical research and in epidemiologic studies. Following a grading procedure which has been developed in epidemiologic studies in the U.S., a hierarchical model for grading is proposed. This comprises pain intensity and functional limitation as basic criteria as well as aspects of time, pain-related cognitions/emotions and concomitant complaints. An application of a simple grading procedure is used to illustrate the predictive utility of the proposed model.