• Joseph F Orlando, Anne Lj Burke, Matthew Beard, Michelle Guerin, and Saravana Kumar.
• IIMPACT in Health, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
• Emerg Med Australas. 2024 Sep 18.

ObjectiveThe present study sought to investigate predictors of hospitalisation in adults diagnosed with non-specific low back pain (LBP) and/or sciatica from an ED.MethodsA 5-year, multicentre retrospective observational study was conducted across six public hospitals (metropolitan and regional) using data from electronic medical records. Patient presentations were identified using LBP diagnostic codes and key data extracted (patient demographics, clinical activity, discharge destination). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to measure associations between identified variables and hospitalisation.ResultsThere were 11 709 ED presentations across the study period. People aged ≥65 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.61-3.10) and those who arrived at the ED via ambulance (age-adjusted OR 2.68, 95% CI 2.44-2.95) were more likely to be hospitalised. People were also more likely to be hospitalised when triaged as more urgent, when blood tests or advanced spinal imaging were ordered, and when i.v./subcutaneous opioids or oral benzodiazepines were administered. Hospitalisation rates for LBP were lower in regional hospitals, in people residing in lower socioeconomic areas and in Indigenous Australians.ConclusionCertain patient characteristics and ED clinical activity are associated with hospitalisations for LBP. Understanding these factors will better inform the design and delivery of appropriate high-quality care.© 2024 The Author(s). Emergency Medicine Australasia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.

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