Article Text
Abstract
Background and Aims Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) are usually older adults and pain is difficult to manage. The aim of the study was to evaluate functional improvement after pain management using Oswestry disability assessment tool and to know the frequency of neuropathic pain using Douleur Neuropathic 4 (DN4) tool in patients with CLBP.
Methods After approval from the Institutional ERC, all patients of both gender with chronic LBP presenting to pain clinic were included in this study, after written and informed consent. Data were obtained from patient’s medical records and interviews of patients using Douleur DN4 Neuropathic Questionnaires and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire on the initial and follow-up visits till six months and recorded in a data collection form.
Results A total of eighty-seven patients completed the study and follow-up period to six months, of which 54 (62.1%) were Female. All patients had low back pain and the median duration of pain was 18 months. There was a statistically significant functional improvement (p <0.001) observed after pain management between initial visit and after six months using Oswestry disability index (ODI) (ODI value = 50.1 ± 14.7 vs 23.1 ± 14.1) and there is 53.89% reduction in pain. Using Douleur Neuropathic 4 (DN4) tool neuropathic pain was present in 35 (40.2%) patients with chronic low back pain.
Conclusions Statistically significant functional improvement (p <0.001) was observed after pain management using the Oswestry disability index and the frequency of neuropathic pain using DN4 tool in patients with chronic low back pain was 40.2%.
ERC Letter LBP CPMS