The fear-avoidance beliefs of patients with subacute low back pain (LBP) considered at risk for chronic disabling LBP are not well known. The objectives of this cross-sectional descriptive survey, conducted in secondary care practice, were to assess fear-avoidance beliefs about back pain in patients with subacute LBP and to seek an association between physician or patient characteristics and level of fear-avoidance beliefs. A total of 286 rheumatologists completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing physicians' demographic, professional data, personal history of back pain, and back pain fear-avoidance beliefs (on the Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire [FABQ]) and 443 patients with sLBP completed one on pain, perceived handicap and disability (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety Depression questionnaire), and back pain beliefs (FABQ). Mean FABQ scores for rheumatologists for physical activities (FABQ Phys) and occupational activities (FABQ Work) were 9.2+/-4.4 (range 0-21) and 16.7+/-6.9 (range 2-37), respectively, and patient scores were 16.7+/-5.2 and 19.3+/-12.4, respectively. A total of 68% of patients and 10% of physicians had a high rating on the FABQ Phys (>14). Patients' fear-avoidance beliefs about physical activity were associated with low level of education (odds ratio [OR] 4.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.83-9.57), patients' perceived disability (OR 1.05; CI 1.03-1.07), and physicians' high FABQ Phys score (OR 5.92; CI 1.31-26.32). Here we show that fear-avoidance beliefs about back pain were high in patients with subacute LBP and their rheumatologists.

Back pain commonly persists 3 months later in patients with subacute low back pain. Patients and rheumatologists still have negative beliefs about back pain. Rheumatologists' beliefs influence their following guidelines on physical and occupational activities. National education programmes about low back pain are needed in France.

There is room for improvement in France as only 25% of asthmatic children are optimally controlled. Public health strategies should increase awareness among physicians and parents about the importance of using asthma control tools, eliminating exposure to tobacco smoke and treating associated allergic diseases.

The burden of COPD itself and its complications appeared to be of considerable magnitude in France especially for severe COPD.