Japanese orthopaedic association back pain evaluation questionnaire (JOABPEQ) as an outcome measure for patients with low back pain: reference values in healthy volunteers

Abstract

BackgroundIn 2007, the Japanese orthopaedic association back pain evaluation questionnaire (JOABPEQ) was established to overcome the limitations of the original JOA scoring system developed in 1986. Although this new self-administered questionnaire is a more accurate outcome measure for evaluating patients with low back pain, physicians were unable to as certain the exact status of a patient at a single time point because of a lack of reference values. This study aimed to establish the reference values of JOABPEQ in different age and gender groups using data obtained from healthy volunteers.MethodsThis study was conducted in 21 university hospitals and affiliated hospitals from October 2012 to July 2013. The JOABPEQ includes 25 questions that yield five domains to evaluate individuals with low back pain from five different perspectives. A total of 1,456 healthy volunteers (719 men, 737 women; age range, 20–89 years) answered the questionnaire. The differences in scores according to age and gender were examined by non-parametric tests.ResultsThe JOABPEQ scores significantly decreased with age in the domains of lumbar spine dysfunction, gait disturbance, and social life dysfunction. In these three domains, the median scores approached the 100 possible points in individuals aged 20–70 for both genders. However, the median scores for lumbar spine dysfunction and social life dysfunction decreased to 83.0 and 65.0–78.0 points, respectively, in individuals in their 80 s and 70–80 s, respectively; and the scores for gait disturbance decreased to 93.0 and 71.0 points for males and females in their 80 s. Overall, the median scores for pain-related and psychological disorders were 100 and 60.0–72.0 points, respectively.ConclusionThe reference values for JOABPEQ according to age and gender were established herein. Patients with low back pain should be evaluated with this new self-administered questionnaire taking these reference values into account.

Cage subsidence in lateral interbody fusion with transpsoas approach: intraoperative endplate injury or late-onset settling

“…JOABPEQ comprises 25 questions across five domains: pain-related disorders, lumbar spine dysfunction, gait disturbance, social life dysfunction, and psychological disorders. For each domain, the difference between preoperative scores and those at postoperative 1 year (improvement score) was calculated and the effectiveness of the treatment evaluated 5) . According to the subsidence pattern of each segment, the 85 patients were classified as follows: Group E (at least one Segment E), Group S (at least one Segment S), Group ES (both Segments E and S), or Group N (Segment N alone).…”

Serum Creatinine Level and Its Relation to Backache in Chronic Kidney Disease with Unknown Aetiology (CKDu) Patients in North Central Province, Sri Lanka

“…Physical examination can be carried out on these patients, JOABPEQ is a standard measure used in Japan to evaluate the pain in patients by carrying out specific tasks that do not cause harm to them or hurt them in anyway. This method was implemented in 1986 and has been highly recognized throughout the world in assessing low back pain in patients which is a common sign in kidney damage (Hashizume et al, 2015).…”

Relationship between characteristics of spinopelvic alignment and quality of life in Japanese patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study

“…For both groups, HRQOL measures included scores on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire (SRS-22; total and four subdomains: activity, appearance, mental, and satisfaction), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) [10] (five subdomains: pain-related disorders, lumbar spine dysfunction, gait disturbance, social life dysfunction, and psychological disorders). We examined only spinal columnrelated pain by asking patients to indicate the site of pain [11] and excluded pain in the buttocks, hips, knees, and shoulder joints. This study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Juntendo University Hospital .…”