Paul Enthoven

Clinical course in patients seeking primary care for back or neck pain : a prospective 5-year follow-up of outcome and health care consumption with subgroup analysis

Study Design. Prospective follow-up. Objective. To describe the 5-year clinical course in a cohort of patients treated for back or neck pain in primary care and compare results with the 1-year outcome both for the whole group and for subgroups. Summary of Background Data. A randomized study showed a decrease in perceived pain and disability after treatment by chiropractic or physiotherapy, but many reported recurrence or continual pain at the 1-year follow-up. Knowledge of the clinical course over longer follow-up periods is limited. Methods. A 5-year follow-up questionnaire was sent to 314 individuals. Main outcome measures were pain intensity, Oswestry score, and general health. Recurrence, health care consumption, and other measures were described. Results. Fifty-two percent of respondents reported pain (visual analog scale, >10 mm) and back-related disability (Oswestry, >10%) at the 5-year follow-up. This was similar to 1-year results, and 84% of these were the same individuals. Sixty-three percent reported recurrence or continual pain, and 32% reported health care consumption at the 5-year follow-up. Conclusions. In a cohort of individuals of working age seeking primary care for nonspecific back or neck pain, it can be expected that about half of the population will report pain and disability at the 5-year follow-up. A significant proportion will report recurrence or continual pain and health care consumption. Pain and disability were associated with recurrence or continual pain and health care consumption. Further analysis is needed to identify additional predictors for 5-year outcome, taking into account 1-year follow-up results. Since many patients will have recurrence or continual pain, health policies and clinical decision models for long-term outcome must allow for these aspects.

Predictive factors for 1-year and 5-year outcome for disability in a working population of patients with low back pain treated in primary care.

Abstract Many patients seeking primary care for low back pain continue to report disability several years after their initial visit. The aims of this study were to assess the independent predictive value of a number of potential predictive factors for disability at the 1‐year and 5‐year follow‐ups, and to examine whether prediction models were improved by replacing baseline health‐state‐related variables with corresponding variables after treatment. A further aim was to describe possible differences between those on sick leave, early retirement or disability pension, and those who were not. Baseline factors were age, gender, self‐reported physical‐activity‐related and work‐related factors, expectations of treatment, similar problems previously, duration of episode, more than one localization, sick leave, pain frequency, disability, and well‐being. The study sample comprised 148 participants in a previous randomized trial who were eligible for sick‐leave benefits. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors. At the 5‐year follow‐up, 37% (n = 19/52) of the patients with disability were on sick leave or were receiving early retirement or disability pension. For those without disability the corresponding figure was 9% (n = 8/92). Being a woman, duration of the current episode, similar problems during the previous 5 years, exercise level before the current episode, pain frequency at baseline, and disability after treatment emerged as predictive factors for disability at the 5‐year follow‐up. Replacing baseline health‐state‐related measures with corresponding measures after the treatment period, and adding physical‐activity‐related and possibly work‐related factors might improve the likelihood of predicting future disability.

Course of back pain in primary care : a prospective study of physical measures

OBJECTIVE To describe physical measures used in patients with back pain when no specific treatment is given, to examine associations between change over time in these measures and changes in pain and back-related disability, and to study the value of physical measures at baseline and at a 4-week follow-up to predict outcome at 12 months. DESIGN A prospective consecutive study. SUBJECTS Forty-four patients presenting with low back pain in primary care. METHODS The patients underwent a physical examination at baseline and at 4 weeks. Follow-up was carried out using questionnaires until 12 months. Linear regression was used to identify predictors. RESULTS Most measures had improved significantly at the 4-week follow-up. Thoracolumbar rotation, isometric endurance back extensors, and fingertip-to-floor distance at 4 weeks were significant predictors for pain intensity and back-related disability at the 12-month follow-up. Eighteen out of 44 patients reported an increase in pain after the assessment of the physical measures at baseline. This group of patients improved more in physical measures between baseline and the 4-week follow-up. CONCLUSION Physical measures assessed at the 4-week follow-up, but not at baseline, could provide important additional information for identifying those patients at risk for worse outcome in pain or back-related disability at 12 months.

Evaluation of physiotherapists as primary assessors of patients with musculoskeletal disorders seeking primary health care

OBJECTIVES To evaluate primary physiotherapist assessment and management of patients with musculoskeletal disorders in primary care, and to compare patient satisfaction with primary assessment by a physiotherapist or a general practitioner (GP). DESIGN An observational, retrospective cohort study reviewing medical records, and a separate consecutive non-randomised study of patient satisfaction. SETTING Primary healthcare centre. PARTICIPANTS Four hundred and thirty-two patients with musculoskeletal disorders, primarily assessed by a physiotherapist. Fifty-one of these patients primarily assessed by a physiotherapist and 42 patients assessed by a GP answered a patient satisfaction questionnaire. INTERVENTIONS Primary assessment and management of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Data from medical records within 3-month after the visit, and patient satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS Eighty-five percent (367/432) of patients did not need to see a GP. Serious pathologies were found among the 6% (26/432) of patients who were referred to a GP by a physiotherapist, but no serious pathologies were found among the 9% (39/432) of patients who subsequently returned for a GP appointment for the same disorder. Patients assessed by a physiotherapist were more satisfied with the information received about their disorder and self-care than patients assessed by a GP. Patients also had higher confidence in the ability of physiotherapists to assess their disorder (P<0.002). CONCLUSION Physiotherapists can be considered primary assessors of patients with musculoskeletal disorders in primary care as few patients needed additional assessment by a GP, patients with confirmed serious pathologies were identified by the physiotherapists, and patients were satisfied with assessment by a physiotherapist.

Back Pain in Primary Care: a Prospective Cohort Study of Clinical Outcome and Healthcare Consumption

The aim was to describe the clinical course without active treatment in patients with low back and neck pain visiting primary care. A prospective consecutive study was done with follow-ups weekly for 6 weeks and at 3, 6, 12 and 30 months. Main outcome measures were proportion of patients who were free of pain and back-related disability and proportion of patients found to have received additional healthcare at 3-, 6-, 12- and 30-month follow-ups. The physiotherapist predicted additional treatment. Eighty consecutive patients were included. 39 low back pain and 17 neck pain patients underwent 30 months of follow-up. The results on a group level were consistent from about 4 weeks. In the low back pain group, 41% reported no pain and no disability after 30 months, within 3 months 33% and within 30 months 64% had received additional healthcare. In the neck pain group, 12% reported no pain and no disability after 30 months, within 3 months 59% and within 30 months 71% had received additional healthcare. A higher proportion of the patients, predicted with a high probability to seek additional care also reported additional care. It can be expected that half the back pain patients being cared for in primary care will continue to suffer from problems 30 months later. The slope of recovery is most prominent during the first 4 weeks, and a worse outcome is in the neck pain patients. Further healthcare is not equal to self-reported back pain problems at baseline. The 4-week evaluation can be used to predict groups with future healthcare utilization up until 30 months. Further studies including larger cohorts are needed to confirm the results.

Effects of Twice-Weekly Intense Aerobic Exercise in Early Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of 12 weeks of twice-weekly intensive aerobic exercise on physical function and quality of life after subacute stroke. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Ambulatory care. PARTICIPANTS Patients (N=56; 28 women) aged ≥50 years who had a mild stroke (98% ischemic) and were discharged to independent living and enrolled 20 days (median) after stroke onset. INTERVENTIONS Sixty minutes of group aerobic exercise, including 2 sets of 8 minutes of exercise with intensity up to exertion level 14 or 15 of 20 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale, twice weekly for 12 weeks (n=29). The nonintervention group (n=27) received no organized rehabilitation or scheduled physical exercise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measures included aerobic capacity on the standard ergometer exercise stress test (peak work rate) and walking distance on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondary outcome measures included maximum walking speed for 10m, balance on the timed Up and Go (TUG) test and single leg stance (SLS), health-related quality of life on the European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D), and participation and recovery after stroke on the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) version 2.0 domains 8 and 9. Participants were evaluated pre- and postintervention. Patient-reported measures were also evaluated at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS The following improved significantly more in the intervention group (pre- to postintervention): peak work rate (group × time interaction, P=.006), 6MWT (P=.011), maximum walking speed for 10m (P<.001), TUG test (P<.001), SLS right and left (eyes open) (P<.001 and P=.022, respectively), and SLS right (eyes closed) (P=.019). Aerobic exercise was associated with improved EQ-5D scores (visual analog scale, P=.008) and perceived recovery (SIS domain 9, P=.002). These patient-reported improvements persisted at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Intensive aerobic exercise twice weekly early in subacute mild stroke improved aerobic capacity, walking, balance, health-related quality of life, and patient-reported recovery.

Prepare: pre-surgery physiotherapy for patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Surgery because of disc herniation or spinal stenosis results mostly in large improvement in the short-term, but mild to moderate improvements for pain and disability at long-term follow-up. Prehabilitation has been defined as augmenting functional capacity before surgery, which may have beneficial effect on outcome after surgery. PURPOSE The aim was to study if presurgery physiotherapy improves function, pain, and health in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder scheduled for surgery. STUDY DESIGN A single-blinded, two-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT). PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 197 patients were consecutively included at a spine clinic. The inclusion criteria were patients scheduled for surgery because of disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or degenerative disc disease (DDD), 25-80 years of age. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome was Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, fear avoidance, physical activity, and treatment effect. METHODS Patients were randomized to either presurgery physiotherapy or standardized information, with follow-up after the presurgery intervention as well as 3 and 12 months post surgery. The study was funded by regional research funds for US

Weak outcome predictors of multimodal rehabilitation at one-year follow-up in patients with chronic pain-a practice based evidence study from two SQRP centres.

77,342. No conflict of interest is declared. RESULTS The presurgery physiotherapy group had better ODI, visual analog scale (VAS) back pain, EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), EQ-VAS, Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire-Physical Activity (FABQ-PA), Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) depression scores and activity level compared with the waiting-list group after the presurgery intervention. The improvements were small, but larger than the study-specific minimal clinical important change (MCIC) in VAS back and leg pain, EQ-5D, and FABQ-PA, and almost in line with MCIC in ODI and Physical Component Summary (PCS) in the physiotherapy group. Post surgery, the only difference between the groups was higher activity level in the physiotherapy group compared with the waiting-list group. CONCLUSIONS Presurgery physiotherapy decreases pain, risk of avoidance behavior, and worsening of psychological well-being, and improves quality of life and physical activity levels before surgery compared with waiting-list controls. These results were maintained only for activity levelspost surgery. Still, presurgery selection, content, dosage of exercises, and importance of being active in a presurgery physiotherapy intervention is of interest to study further to improve long-term outcome.

Implementing multimodal pain rehabilitation in primary care - a health care professional perspective.

BackgroundFor patients with chronic pain, the heterogeneity of clinical presentations makes it difficult to identify patients who would benefit from multimodal rehabilitation programs (MMRP). Yet, there is limited knowledge regarding the predictors of MMRP’s outcomes. This study identifies predictors of outcome of MMRPs at a 12-month follow-up (FU-12) based on data from the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation (SQRP).MethodsPatients with chronic pain from two clinical departments in Sweden completed the SQRP questionnaires—background, pain characteristics, psychological symptoms, function, activity/participation, health and quality of life—on three occasions: 1) during their first visit; 2) immediately after the completion of their MMRP; and 3) 12 months after completing the MMRP (n = 227). During the FU-12, the patients also retrospectively reported their global impressions of any changes in their perception of pain and their ability to handle their life situation in general.ResultsSignificant improvements were found for pain, psychological symptoms, activity/participation, health, and quality of life aspects with low/medium strong effects.A general pattern was observed from the analyses of the changes from baseline to FU-12; the largest improvements in outcomes were significantly associated with poor situations according to their respective baseline scores. Although significant regressors of the investigated outcomes were found, the significant predictors were weak and explained a minor part of the variation in outcomes (15–25%). At the FU-12, 53.6% of the patients reported that their pain had decreased and 80.1% reported that their life situation in general had improved. These improvements were associated with high education, low pain intensity, high health level, and work importance (only pain perception). The explained variations were low (9–11%).ConclusionsRepresenting patients in real-world clinical settings, this study confirmed systematic reviews that outcomes of MMRP are associated with broad positive effects. A mix of background and baseline variables influenced the outcomes investigated, but the explained variations in outcomes were low. There is still a need to develop standardized and relatively simple outcomes that can be used to evaluate MMRP in trials, in clinical evaluations at group level, and for individual patients.

Healthcare professional experiences with patients who participate in multimodal pain rehabilitation in primary care - a qualitative study.

Abstract Purpose: To explore professional perspectives on how to start and work with multimodal pain rehabilitation within primary healthcare. Methods: Fourteen healthcare professionals (11 women, 3 men) were individually interviewed about their experiences of starting and working with multimodal pain. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. This study was part of a larger project, which aimed at evaluating multimodal pain rehabilitation in primary care. Results: The analysis resulted in six categories. Two categories were about management engagement: putting the focus on rehabilitation and creating appropriate conditions. Three were about professional engagement: importance of driving spirits, creating a program – a process, and good teamwork – not a coincidence. The last category was about professional gain from multimodal rehabilitation (MMR): team work is enriching. Conclusions: To enable implementation of MMR in primary care, managers on all organizational levels must take responsibility for allowing rehabilitation to be a priority. A driving spirit among the professionals facilitates the start, but the entire team is important when processing a program. Creating good teamwork requires hard work, e.g., negotiations for consensus about rehabilitation, and assumption of responsibility by each team member. Collaboration between professionals was perceived to strengthen and enhance knowledge about the patients. Implications for rehabilitation Much can be gained from conducting multimodal pain rehabilitation in primary care. Front line managers and those at other organizational levels must prioritize and create appropriate conditions to facilitate multimodal pain rehabilitation in primary care. Creation of an effective multimodal rehabilitation team requires that each team member takes responsibility, drops the focus on individual rehabilitation, seek member consensus about the content of the rehabilitation, and confer equal worth to each team member. The process of creating a program can be facilitated, especially at the beginning, if the team is supported by speciality pain clinics or more experienced teams.