Lumbar disc herniation: social and demographic factors determining duration of disease.

The study was set up to show whether certain social and demographic characteristics play any significant role in determining the duration of disease in patients with lumbar disc herniation. The study included 171 consecutive patients operated upon for the first time for lumbar disc herniation over a 1-year period. Records were made of each patient's age, sex, domicile (town, rural area), social group and employment status. For each patient, four dates were also recorded: onset of symptoms, referral to hospital, operation and recovery. On this basis six periods could be calculated. Statistical analysis was used to identify the relation between the social and demographic factors and the various time periods between the onset of symptoms and recovery. Being employed, especially in a higher social group, cuts down the period from onset of symptoms to recovery. This shortening in the total duration mainly takes place between onset of symptoms and referral to hospital. The influences of domicile, age and sex were of no statistical significance. The median of the total period from onset of symptoms to recovery was 224 days. Among patients operated upon for the first time for lumbar disc herniation, employment denoted faster referral to hospital and thus faster operation and recovery. Among those employed, the patients from higher social groups were referred quickest.