Early imaging for acute low back pain: one-year health and disability outcomes among Washington State workers.

ABSTRACT:

Study design

A population-based, prospective cohort study.

Objective

To evaluate the association of early imaging and health and disability status 1 year following acute low back injury, among a population-based sample of Washington State workers' compensation claimants.

Summary of background data

Use of early diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for low back pain (LBP) contributes to increasing health care costs but may not lead to better outcomes than delayed imaging. In the worker's compensation system, LBP is common and costly. This research examines the association between early MRI among workers with LBP and health outcomes (pain intensity, Roland disability score, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scores) and disability status 1 year after injury.

SUBMITTER: Graves JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11379130 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature