• U Marnitz, L Weh, G Müller, W Seidel, K Bienek, G Lindena, and A Gussek.
• Rückenzentrum am Markgrafenpark, Markgrafenstr. 19, 10969, Berlin, Deutschland.
• Schmerz. 2008 Aug 1;22(4):415-23.

IntroductionThe results of conventional chronic back pain therapy are unsatisfactory. Deconditioning, psychosocial disorders and prolonged disability are common sequelae.Material And MethodsThe health insurance fund Deutsche Angestellten Krankenkasse (DAK) offers an interdisciplinary assessment by the Berlin-Brandenburg back pain network (BBR) to its members with ongoing work disability on account of back pain. After medical, physiotherapeutic and psychological exploration one of the following four options is suggested: further diagnostics, outpatient monomodal treatment, day-care pain management program of two intensities or inpatient pain treatment. The data of 394 patients with the leading diagnostic group of back pain (M54, ICD 10, 65.7%) and disability for 92.7 days (mean) are presented.ResultsThe patients were severely impaired in physical and psychosocial aspects. The chronification was moderate (stage II-III of Mainz Staging System, MPSS). The success of treatment was evaluated 6 months after the initial assessment. All groups showed a significant reduction of pain, anxiety and depression whereas the wellbeing and daily activities improved, but best in the day-care pain management groups.ConclusionPatient selection by a health fund, interdisciplinary assessment and severity adapted treatment resulted in significant reduction in pain and functional improvement in disabled back pain patients.

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