Prognostic Factors of Disabling Low Back Pain in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Risk of Poor Prognosis in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain : Can it be Predicted by Physical Tests and Screening Tools ? - An Observational Study

The aim of the present study is to quantify the relative contribution of variables obtained during a physical fitness evaluation and a short screening questionnaire in determining the short-term and long term risk of persistent disabling low back pain in patients with chronic low back pain. It has been hypothesized that patients with higher physical fitness will present a lower risk of persistent disabling low back pain and so, a lower score on the questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults between 18 and 60 years old
• nonspecific low back pain : pain located between the twelfth rib and the inferior gluteal fold for which no specific source of pain could be identified
• chronic low back pain : pain present for 12 weeks or more, and included both constant and recurrent patterns of pain
• able to read and understand French

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of surgery or major trauma to the spine
• Current use of medication known to impair physical effort and pain perception
• Lumbar scoliosis of more than 20°
• Collagenosis, severe osteoporosis
• Neuromuscular disease
• Malignant tumor
• Non-controlled hypertension
• Infection
• Radiculopathy
• Progressive neurologic defect
• Myelopathy
• Lumbar disc hernia
• Pregnancy
• Active lower body injury and/or severe and disabling pain limiting the capacity to undergo the evaluation.