Study show nearly 20% of patients with back pain report persistent symptoms, greater care use

Krembil Research Institute found nearly one in five of patients with back pain report a persistent trajectory with associated increased disability, pain and use of healthcare. The researchers identified four trajectories among participants reporting back pain at least once during the 16-year period: the "persistent" group (18%), the "developing" trajectory (28.1%), the "recovery" group (20.5%) and the "occasional" group (33.4%). The persistent and developing groups were characterized by more pain preventing activities, disability, depression and comorbidities. There was a general trend of most to least healthcare and medication use in the persistent, developing, recovery and occasional groups.