Prevalence of claims-based recurrent low back pain in a Canadian population: A secondary analysis of an administrative database

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a vast literature reporting that the point prevalence of low back pain (LBP) is high and increasing. It is also known that a large proportion of acute LBP episodes are recurrent within 12 months. However, few studies report the annual trends in the prevalence of recurrent LBP or describe these trends according to age and sex categories.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 401 264 adults selected from the administrative database of physician claims for the province of Quebec, Canada. These adults, aged 18 years and over, met the criteria of having consulted a physician three times within a 365-day period between 2000 and 2007 for a LBP condition corresponding to ICD-9 codes 721, 722, 724 or 739. All data were analyzed by sex and clustered according to specific age categories.ResultsWe observed a decrease from 1.64% to 1.33% in the annual prevalence between 2000 and 2007 for men. This decrease in prevalence was mostly observed between 35 and 59 years of age. Older (≥65 years) women were 1.35 times more at risk to consult a physician for LBP in a recurrent manner than older men. The most frequently reported diagnosis was non-specific LBP between 2000 to 2007. During the same period, sequelae of previous back surgery and spinal stenosis were the categories with the largest increases.ConclusionThe annual prevalence of claims-based recurrent LBP progressively decreased between 2000 and 2007 for younger adults (<65 years) while older adults (≥65 years) showed an increase. Given the aging Canadian population, recurrent low back pain could have an increasing impact on the quality of life of the elderly as well as on the healthcare system.

Supervisor Autonomy and Considerate Leadership Style are Associated with Supervisors’ Likelihood to Accommodate Back Injured Workers

“…The total economic cost of LBP in Canada has been estimated at over 8 billion dollars per year [2], with a prevalence of compensation claims for LBP of approximately 38% in the working population [3]. Most concerning is the duration of work disability following sick leave for LBP, which contributes to staggering economic costs to health care, employers, employees, and society [4].…”

Effect Of Transforaminal Anterior Epidural Steroid Injection On Neuropathic Pain, Quality Of Sleep And Life

“…[1,2] It is reported that more than half of patients complaining of low back pain experience diminishment in their working lives and daily activities and in Europe, this is the second most frequent cause of sick leaves. This places a great burden on both the health system and the economy.…”

“…[3,4] A great majority of patients presenting with low back pain complaints benefit from conservative and noninvasive modes of treatment that include bed rest, oral medications, corsets and physical therapy but one-fourth of these patients are likely to reappear at the hospital within the same year due to a relapse of the condition.Ten percent of such patients become chronic cases and 10%-15% ultimately need surgery. [1,3,[5][6][7] Of patients undergoing surgery, 20% go through another surgical procedure due to continued pain. [8] This situation has led patients to consider more effective and minimally invasive treatment options.…”

Improving the selection of true incident cases of low back pain by screening retrospective administrative data

“…A retrospective population-based cohort study was prepared using medical administrative data extracted from the registries of the Régie de l'Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ) (Beaudet et al, 2013). Analyses were performed on the RAMQ provincial physicians' claims database, which provided information on the patients' identification, the date of service and the primary diagnosis for each visit (four-digit ICD-9).…”

“…Prevalent claims-based recurrent LBP patients were selected if they had at least three identical LBP diagnoses in a period of 365 days (Beaudet et al, 2013). Prevalent claims-based recurrent LBP patients were selected if they had at least three identical LBP diagnoses in a period of 365 days (Beaudet et al, 2013).…”