Table 2 Baseline characteristics of the low back pain cohort
Low back pain patients N = 928 | |
|---|---|
Males, N | 510 (55%) |
Age in years, median (interquartile range) | 43 (34–53) |
Highest achieved education, N | |
No qualification | 81 (9%) |
Vocational training | 236 (25%) |
Higher education <3 years | 142 (15%) |
Higher education 3–4 years | 311 (34%) |
Higher education >4 years | 136 (15%) |
Missing | 22 (2%) |
Episode duration, N | |
0–2 weeks | 571 (62%) |
2–4 weeks | 123 (13%) |
1–3 months | 95 (10%) |
> 3 months | 121 (13%) |
Missing | 18 (2%) |
Back pain intensity (0–10 Numeric Rating Scale), median (interquartile range) | 7 (5–8) |
Missing, N | 25 (3%) |
Leg pain intensity (0–10 Numeric Rating Scale), median (interquartile range) | 2 (0–4) |
Missing, N | 43 (5%) |
STarT Back Tool score, N | |
Low risk | 497 (54%) |
Medium risk | 351 (38%) |
High risk | 72 (8%) |
Missing | 8 (1%) |
Quebec classification, N | |
Local low back pain only | 609 (66%) |
Low back pain + leg pain above the knee | 218 (23%) |
Low back pain + leg pain below the knee | 69 (7%) |
Low back pain + leg pain and neurological signs | 20 (2%) |
Missing, N | 12 (1%) |
Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, proportionally recalculated score (0–100 = highest disability), median (interquartile range) | 52 (35–70) |
Missing, N | 14 (2%) |
Recovery belief (0–10 = very likely), median (interquartile range) | 9 (7–10) |
Missing, N | 13 (1%) |