Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology
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Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol · Aug 2005
Review Comparative StudyTrend in methodological quality of randomised clinical trials in low back pain.
During the past decades, the number of published randomised clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of conservative treatments for low back pain has substantially increased. At the same time several initiatives were undertaken in order to improve the methodological quality of published randomised clinical trials, also in the field of low back pain. We investigated how the methodological quality of randomised clinical trials in the field of low back pain developed over time since the first published trial in 1961. ⋯ The median overall quality scores ranged from 36 to 82% depending on the type of intervention. There were no improvements in median overall methodological quality over time from 1960 to 2004. Improvements were apparent for a few validity criteria only.
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Four important domains directly related to low back pain are: pain intensity, low-back-pain-specific disability, patient satisfaction with treatment outcome, and work disability. Within each of the domains, different questionnaires have been proposed. This chapter focuses on validated and widely used questionnaires. ⋯ For global perceived effect, we argue that the MCIC is most appropriately defined in terms of at least 'much improved' or 'very satisfied', instead of including 'slightly improved'. Finally, we argue that, from the point of view of cost effectiveness, every day of earlier return to work is important. The exact value for the MCIC can be determined, taking into account the aim of the measurement, the initial scores, the target population and the method used to assess MCIC.
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The choice of medication for low back pain should be evidence based and tailored as much as possible to suit the individual patient. Acetaminophen (paracetamol), mild opioids and NSAIDs are the first-line drugs for low back pain but there is no evidence that one is more effective than the others. ⋯ The realization that symptoms other than pain are sometimes more important and/or easier to overcome can increase the benefits of medication. The long-term effects of medication can be improved when it is combined with non-drug interventions.
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Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem that poses some interesting and difficult diagnostic problems. It is typically benign and self-limited, but it is occasionally the presenting symptom of serious systemic disease. ⋯ In the absence of these features, imaging is of limited value. Recent research has begun to evaluate subgroups with 'non-specific' low back pain that seem to benefit from specific interventions such as median branch or sacroiliac joint injections, manipulation, or specific exercises, but these require further investigation and validation.