Table 1 Patient characteristics (n = 871)
Variables | N | Value |
|---|---|---|
Gender (male) * | 871 | 270 (31.0 |
Age (years) ¥ | 871 | 56 (45; 67 |
Reason for referral to NRT * | 871 | |
Neck Pain (NP) | 235 (26.9) | |
Thoracic pain (TP) | 60 (6.9) | |
Low Back Pain (LBP) | 576 (66.2) | |
Employment status * | ||
Passive (students, housewife, etc.) | 535 | 320 (59.8) |
Receiving financial compensation for LBP, TP or NP | 34 (6.3) | |
Working | 215 (40.2) | |
Duration of pain, since first diagnosis (days) ¥ | 763 | 2,555 (730; 4,380) |
Duration of pain since first diagnosis, categorised * | 763 | |
≤ 1 year | 136 (17.8) | |
1-5 years | 219 (28.7) | |
5-10 years | 204 (26.7) | |
>10 years | 204 (26.7) | |
Duration of current pain episode (days) ¥ | 809 | 180 (60; 365) |
Duration of current pain episode (days), categorised * | 809 | |
Subacute (≤ 90 days) | 309 (38.2) | |
Chronic (>90 days) | 500 (61.7) | |
Pregnancy * | 2 (0.3) | |
Other comorbidities * | 601 | 677 (84.4) |
Involved in work-related claims * | 802 | 14 (3.3) |
Involved in litigation * | 427 | 8 (1.9) |
Baseline severity of local pain (NP, TP or LBP) (VAS score) ¥ | 426 | 7.0 (6.0: 9.0) |
870 | 660 (75.8) | |
Reporting referred pain at baseline* | 871 | 6.0 (2.0; 8.0) |
Baseline severity of referred pain (VAS score) ¥♦ | 660 | 13 (9.0; 17.0) |
Baseline lumbar disability (RMQ score) ¥♦ | 574 | 40 (30.0; 50.0) |
Baseline neck disability (NDI score) ¥♦ | 229 | |
Diagnostic procedures undergone during the current pain episode, before being referred for NRT* | 69 (7.9) | |
X-Ray | 871 | 98 (11.2) |
MRI | 871 | 21 (2.4) |
Other¤ | 871 | |
Imaging findings * | 698 (80.1) | |
Disc degeneration | 871 | 137 (15.7) |
Facet joint degeneration | 871 | 68 (7.8) |
Scoliosis | 871 | 3 (0.3) |
Difference in leg length | 871 | 14 (1.6) |
Spondylolisis | 871 | 50 (5.7) |
Spondylolisthesis | 871 | 87 (9.9) |
Spinal stenosis | 871 | 229 (26.3) |
Disc protrusion | 871 | 340 (39.0) |
Disc herniation (extrusion) | 871 | 419 (48.1) |
Other findings ∞ | 871 | 30 (3.4) |
No findings | 871 | |
Ongoing treatments when referred for NRT | 751 (86.2) | |
Drugs* | 871 | 721 (82.8) |
Analgesics | 712 (81.7) | |
Non-opioid | 0 (0.0) | |
Codeine | 78 (9.0) | |
Other opioids | 568 (65.2) | |
NSAIDs | 25 (2.8) | |
Steroids | 132 (15.1) | |
Muscle relaxants | 164 (18.8) | |
Otherɣ | ||
Non pharmacological treatments* | 871 | 42 (4.9) |
Physical therapy/Rehabilitation | 7 (0.8) | |
Had undergone surgery for the current episode, before being referred for NRT* |