Table 1 Baseline characteristics for patients according to referral to specialist spinal services. Figures are frequencies (percentage) unless otherwise specified
Referred to spinal specialist N = 57a | Not referred N = 372 | |
|---|---|---|
Age (years) (mean, SD) | 53.7 (15.0) | 49.7 (13.8) |
Gender (F) | 30 (52.7) | 230 (62.0) |
Leg pain usual intensity (mean, SD) | 8.0 (1.8) | 6.7 (2.3) |
Leg pain worse than back pain | 35 (61.4) | 206 (55.4) |
Disability (RMDQ) (mean, SD) | 15.4 (4.6) | 12.6 (5.8) |
Duration of leg pain: | ||
less than 6 weeks | 11 (20.4) | 172 (47.8) |
between 6 weeks to 3 months | 18 (33.3) | 73 (20.3) |
over 3 months | 25 (46.3) | 115 (32.0) |
STarT Back prognostic risk subgroup: | ||
Low | 1 (1.8) | 47 (13.1) |
Medium | 24 (43.6) | 177 (49.2) |
High | 30 (54.5) | 136 (37.8) |
Neurological examination findings: | ||
Myotomal weakness | 20 (36.0) | 82 (22.0) |
Reflex deficits | 16 (28.0) | 90 (24.2) |
Sensory deficits | 37 (65.0) | 182 (49.0) |
Neural tension tests: | ||
Positive | 40 (70.2) | 272 (73.1) |