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Table 2 Relationship between QTF categories and global perceived effect (GPE)

From: Leg pain location and neurological signs relate to outcomes in primary care patients with low back pain

QTF categories

2 weeks, proportion improved

% (95% CI)

3 months, proportion improved

% (95% CI)

12 months, proportion improved

% (95% CI)

Chiropractic patients

P < 0.01*

General practice patients

P < 0.01*

Chiropractic patients

P = 0.2*

General practice patients

P = 0.2*

Chiropractic patients

P = 0.4*

General practice patients

P = 0.5*

All patients

74 (70–77)

36 (31–42)

82 (79–85)

60 (54–66)

73 (23–30)

54 (48–60)

‘LBP alone’

77 (73–81)

49 (38–60)

82 (78–85)

69 (58–78)

74 (69–78)

53 (42–65)

‘LBP + leg pain above the knee’

72 (64–79)

43 (28–60)

85 (79–90)

66 (49–80)

75 (67–81)

66 (48–80)

‘LBP + leg pain below the knee’

61 (46–74)

19 (9–38)

73 (59–83)

46 (29–65)

63 (49–76)

54 (34–72)

‘LBP + NRI’

40 (17–68)

20 (7–45)

87 (55–97)

56 (31–78)

73 (43–91)

44 (20–70)

  1. Proportions improved after 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months
  2. LBP low back pain, NRI nerve root involvement
  3. *P-value for an overall association between QTF categories and GPE