Interventions could reduce global burden of low back pain
Investigators may have uncovered the factors contributing to shortcomings in the treatment of low back pain — which is the leading cause of disability on the basis of years lived with disability.
In a study, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, the investigators used the data from 210 trials included in 36 Cochrane systematic reviews to determine the effectiveness of 10 low back pain interventions. They then graded the hypothetical severity of low back pain in the absence of the treatments across countries in order to identify the avoided burden of low back pain.
Hypothetical severity of low back pain without treatment was evaluated by removing the effect of reported treatments. The severity of low back pain across countries and time was linearly interpolated between a no treatment scenario and the observed U.S. treatment scenario in 2010, using the Health Access and Quality Index.
The investigators discovered that a combination of psychological and physical interventions were the most effective treatment approaches in low back pain, followed by surgery. Access to these interventions alleviated the burden of low back pain in more than 17% of those with the condition. However, researchers estimate that even full coverage of the optimal treatment would potentially fall short of significantly reducing low back pain worldwide.
The investigators hope their findings can encourage policymakers to increase access to interventions among patients with low back pain.
Read more: The Lancet Rheumatology
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