Table 1 Data of patients included in the study (n = 648).
Data | Number (%) | Mean (SD) or median (25th–75th range) |
|---|---|---|
Sex | ||
Female | 338 (52.2) | |
Male | 310 (47.8) | |
Age, mean (SD) | 46.45 (15.5) | |
Education level | ||
No studies | 14 (2.1) | |
Did not finish basic studies | 153 (23.6) | |
Basic studies | 205 (31.6) | |
Medium-level studies | 162 (25.0) | |
Higher level studies | 97 (15.0) | |
Missing | 17 (2.6) | |
Living conditions | ||
Living alone | 57 (8.8) | |
Living with someone | 500 (77.2) | |
Institutionalized | 5 (0.8) | |
Missing | 86 (13.2) | |
Severity of low back pain (VAS); mean (SD) | 5.89 (2.2) | |
Leg pain | ||
Yes | 383 (59.1) | |
Severity of leg pain (VAS); median (range) | 4.3 (2.6–6.7) | |
Disability (Roland Morris Questionnaire); mean (SD) | 11.30 (5.5) | |
Quality of life (EuroQol); mean (SD) | 0.49 (0.2) | |
Previous episodes of low back pain | ||
None | 209 (33.5) | |
1 or 2 | 180 (28.8) | |
3 or more | 235 (37.7) | |
Duration of current episode (days); median (IQR) | 4 (2–10) | |
Chronicity | ||
Acute | 500 (77.2) | |
Subacute | 118 (18.2) | |
Chronic | 28 (4.3) | |
Patients visiting the recruiting physician for the first time | 393 (60.6) | |
Patients visiting the recruiting physician at follow-up | 255 (39.4) | |
Diagnostic tests | 112 (17.3) | |
X-rays on the first visit | 101 (15.6) | |
CT scan on the first visit | 14 (2.2) | |
MRI on the first visit | 16 (2.5) | |
Neurophysiological tests on first visit | 9 (1.4) | |
Visits to emergency room | 64 (9.9) | |
Working status: | ||
Housewife, retired, other | 281 (43.4) | |
Workers | 367 (56.6) | |
Self-employed | 58 (8.9) | |
Employed by others | 309 (47.7) | |
Being on sick leave | 158 (24.4)* | |
SLR test | ||
Not done | 243 (37.5) | |
< 30 | 88 (13.6) | |
30–60 | 119 (18.4) | |
> 60 | 198 (30.6) | |
Prescription of medication† | 594 (91.7) | |
NSAIDs | 370 (57.1) | |
Analgesics | 212 (32.7) | |
Muscle relaxants | 97 (15) | |
Corticoids | 21 (3.2) | |
Gastric protectors | 14 (2.2) | |
Anxiolitics | 30 (4.6) | |
Referrals | 62 (9.6) | |
Orhopedic surgery | 34 (54.8) | |
Rehabilitation | 17 (27.4) | |
Neurosurgery | 5 (8.1) | |
Other | 11 (17.7) |