Should we retire statistical significance?

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is a non-motor symptom commonly reported by individuals with Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of low back pain and its characteristics in individuals with Parkinson disease from a specialized treatment center. METHODS: Individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease answered a questionnaire for the assessment of clinical parameters and associated pain symptoms. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three patients with mean age 68.1±11.8 years, and disease duration of 7.0±4.9 years, answered the questionnaire. Pain was reported by 102 (82.9%) patients: 71 (57.7%) had low back pain and 31 (25.2%) had pain in other body segments. There was no difference in age, education, time of Parkinson's disease symptoms and diagnosis when comparing individuals with and without pain, as well as individuals with pain in other segments and low back pain. The group with low back pain had pain in a greater number of body segments in addition to the lumbar region, with longer duration of this symptom and more frequent use of analgesic drugs. In the low back pain group, women had greater pain intensity.