Developing clinical prediction models for nonrecovery in older patients seeking care for back pain: the back complaints in the elders prospective cohort study

Examining Psychological Factors as Contributors to Pain, Disability, and Physical Function in Geriatric Chronic Low Back Pain: A Prospective Analysis of the Delaware Spine Studies Cohort

In younger populations, risk factors from psychologically-focused theoretical models have become accepted as primary drivers behind the persistence of low back pain (LBP), but these risk factors have not been thoroughly assessed in older adult populations (60-85 years). To address this knowledge gap, we sought to examine longitudinal associations between both general and pain-related psychological risk factors and future pain intensity, LBP-related disability, and physical function (gait speed) outcomes in older adults with chronic LBP (n = 250). Questionnaires for general (ie, depressive symptoms) and pain-related psychological risk factors (ie, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia) were collected at baseline. Questionnaire values were entered into principal component analysis to yield a combined psychological component score. LBP intensity (pain thermometers), LBP-related disability (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale), and gait speed were measured at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Multiple linear regression was used to examine adjusted associations between baseline psychological component scores and each prospective outcome. The baseline psychological component score failed to independently predict 12-month LBP-related disability and gait speed after adjustment for baseline outcomes. Though the psychological component score was associated with 12-month LBP intensity after adjusting for baseline LBP intensity, this association diminished with full adjustment for other baseline characteristics. Cumulatively, general and pain-related psychological risk factors did not independently predict longitudinal pain, disability, and physical function outcomes in this cohort. Compared to younger populations with this condition, general and pain-related psychological risk factors may have less influence on the maintenance of chronic LBP in older adults. PERSPECTIVE: This article failed to establish consistent independent relationships between psychological factors and worse longitudinal pain, disability, and physical function outcomes in older adults with chronic LBP. The findings highlight a need to determine other age-specific biopsychosocial risk factors that may impact the maintenance of chronic pain in this patient population.

Osteoporosis treatment and pain relief: A scoping review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Anti-osteoporosis (OP) drugs have been suggested to contribute to pain reduction during OP management. This scoping review aimed at mapping the literature on pain relief with anti-OP drugs in OP treatment.

DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT

Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane databases were searched by two reviewers with keywords combinations. Randomized controlled and real-life English studies, pain as an endpoint, antiosteoporosis drugs were inclusion criteria. Case reports, surveys, comment letters, conference abstracts, animal studies and grey literature were excluded. Predetermined data were extracted by two reviewers and disagreement solved through discussion.

RESULTS

A total of 130 articles were identified, 31 publications were included, 12 randomized clinical trials and 19 observational studies. Pain reduction was assessed by different tools: Visual Analogue Scale, Verbal Rating Scale, Facial Scale or as a domain of quality of life questionnaires including Short form 8, 36, mini-OP, Japanese OP, Qualeffo, Roland Morris Disability questionnaires. Collective data show that anti-OP drugs may display an analgesic effect that may be linked to the local mode of action of drugs on bone and consecutive modulation of pain sensitization. The methodology of the studies showed a heterogeneity of endpoints, comparators, statistical approaches and follow-up duration.

CONCLUSION

Considering the limitations of the literature, there is a need for more rigorous trials and larger real-life studies taking into account the recommendations published for research in rheumatology and in pain medicine. The identification of responders, patient subtypes, and of analgesic-effect doses would allow optimization and individualization for pain relief in patients with OP.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

This scoping review shows that anti-OP drugs may improve pain and quality of life of patients with OP. The heterogeneity in design, choice of endpoints, methodology, comparators and follow-up duration of included randomized clinical trials and real-life studies does not allow so far to identify a predominant antiosteoporosis drug or an optimal dosage for pain relief. These gaps need to be addressed and warrant further research in the future for optimizing pain improvement in the course of OP drug treatment.

External validation and updating of prognostic prediction models for nonrecovery among older adults seeking primary care for back pain

ABSTRACT

Prognostic prediction models for 3 different definitions of nonrecovery were developed in the Back Complaints in the Elders study in the Netherlands. The models' performance was good (optimism-adjusted area under receiver operating characteristics [AUC] curve ≥0.77, R2 ≥0.3). This study aimed to assess the external validity of the 3 prognostic prediction models in the Norwegian Back Complaints in the Elders study. We conducted a prospective cohort study, including 452 patients aged ≥55 years, seeking primary care for a new episode of back pain. Nonrecovery was defined for 2 outcomes, combining 6- and 12-month follow-up data: Persistent back pain (≥3/10 on numeric rating scale) and persistent disability (≥4/24 on Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire). We could not assess the third model (self-reported nonrecovery) because of substantial missing data (>50%). The models consisted of biopsychosocial prognostic factors. First, we assessed Nagelkerke R2 , discrimination (AUC) and calibration (calibration-in-the-large [CITL], slope, and calibration plot). Step 2 was to recalibrate the models based on CITL and slope. Step 3 was to reestimate the model coefficients and assess if this improved performance. The back pain model demonstrated acceptable discrimination (AUC 0.74, 95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.79), and R2 was 0.23. The disability model demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC 0.81, 95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.85), and R2 was 0.35. Both models had poor calibration (CITL <0, slope <1). Recalibration yielded acceptable calibration for both models, according to the calibration plots. Step 3 did not improve performance substantially. The recalibrated models may need further external validation, and the models' clinical impact should be assessed.

The needs, barriers, and opportunities perceived by health professionals for an online competency-based interprofessional course to enhance the care of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain

BACKGROUND

It is recommended that continued education in pain should be supported using information and communication technologies (ICTs), but there are gaps about the previous competencies of health professionals, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study characterized the competencies of professionals in the Colombian Caribbean, the circumstances that favor and hinder the development of appropriate care, as well as the preferences, expectations and attitudes toward an educational intervention supported by ICTs.

METHODS

We used a qualitative, phenomenological approach, combining documentary review and data obtained through observation, an online survey and two focus groups involving 55 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses and psychologists) of varying experience. For the analysis and integration of results, the Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior model and the Theoretical Domains Framework were used as references. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist guided the reporting of this study.

RESULTS

Competency deficits were found regardless of the profession and experience, which are related to inadequacies in undergraduate and post-graduate training. Structural problems in Colombian society and healthcare service organization were also discovered, which were considered unmodifiable barriers and have been aggravated by the social, economic and health effects of the pandemic. The main modifiable barriers found were as follows: pain underestimation and under-treatment of older adults, as well as stereotypes regarding old age and pain, lack of knowledge of the psychosocial determinants of pain and of techniques for its assessment and treatment, overestimation of pharmacological treatment and failure to update pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations for the design of the educational intervention were established as follows: favoring non-synchronous resources, facilitating synchronous activities of short duration, facilitating permanent access to information and resources and generating incentives for continuing education, such as certification, institutional recognition and encouraging popular recognition.

The influence of comorbidities on outcomes for older people with back pain: BACE-D cohort study

BACKGROUND

Comorbidities are common in older people with back pain but little is known about the influence of comorbidities on outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the influence of the most prevalent comorbidities, and the number of comorbidities, on short (at 3 months) and long-term (at 12 months) outcomes of back pain in older people.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 'Back Complaints in the Elders' Dutch study cohort (BACE-D) and included participants aged >55 years. We used the modified Self-Administered Comorbidities Questionnaire (SCQ), the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) to assess the number of comorbidities, pain intensity and back-related physical functioning, respectively. We conducted separate linear regression models to analyze the association between comorbidities and outcomes including potential confounders of age, sex, body mass index, smoking and alcoholic drinking status, back pain history, and baseline NRS and RMDQ scores.

RESULTS

Our study included 669 participants with a mean age of 66.5 (SD 7.7) years of whom 394 were female. More comorbidities were positively associated with higher pain intensity (3-month regression coefficient (β) =0.27, 95% CI 0.14-0.39; 12-month β = 0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.45) and worse physical functioning (3-month β = 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.77; 12-month β = 0.64, 95% CI 0.37-0.92). Four of the 5 commonest comorbidities were musculoskeletal problems. Older participants with musculoskeletal comorbidities had higher pain intensity (3-month β = 0.89 95% CI 0.41-1.37; 12-month β = 1.17, 95% CI 0.65-1.69), and worse physical functioning (3-month β = 1.61, 95% CI 0.71-2.52; 12-month β = 1.85, 95% CI 0.82-2.89, P-value < 0.001) compared to participants without musculoskeletal comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

More comorbidities are associated with worse back pain outcomes in older adults. Participants with musculoskeletal comorbidities had worse back pain outcomes than those without.

The one-year clinical course of back-related disability and the prognostic value of comorbidity among older adults with back pain in primary care

ABSTRACT

Back pain and comorbidity are common in older adults. Comorbidity is a promising prognostic factor for the clinical course of back-related disability, but confirmatory studies assessing its prognostic value are needed. Thus, the aims of this study were to describe the clinical course of back-related disability during 1-year follow-up in patients aged ≥55 years visiting primary care (general practitioner, physiotherapist, or chiropractor) with a new episode of back pain and assess the prognostic value of comorbidity on back-related disability during 1-year follow-up. A prospective cohort study was conducted, including 452 patients. The outcome measure was Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ, range 0-24) measured at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. The Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire was used to assess comorbidity count (CC, range 0-15) and comorbidity burden (CB, range 0-45). The RMDQ scores improved from median (interquartile range) 9 (4-13) at baseline to 4 (1-9), 4 (0-9), and 3 (0-9) at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Using linear mixed-effects models, we found that CC and CB were independently associated with RMDQ scores. A 1-point increase in CC was associated with an increase in RMDQ score of 0.76 points (95% confidence interval [0.48-1.04]) over the follow-up year, adjusted for known prognostic factors. A 1-point increase in CB was associated with an increased RMDQ score of 0.47 points (95% confidence interval [0.33-0.61]). In conclusion, the clinical course of back-related disability for older adults presenting in primary care was favorable, and increased comorbidity was an independent prognostic factor for increased disability levels.

Development and validation of a patient-specific model to predict postoperative SIRS in older patients: A two-center study

Introduction

Postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is common in surgical patients especially in older patients, and the geriatric population with SIRS is more susceptible to sepsis, MODS, and even death. We aimed to develop and validate a model for predicting postoperative SIRS in older patients.

Methods

Patients aged ≥65 years who underwent general anesthesia in two centers of Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2015 to September 2020 were included. The cohort was divided into training and validation cohorts. A simple nomogram was developed to predict the postoperative SIRS in the training cohort using two logistic regression models and the brute force algorithm. The discriminative performance of this model was determined by area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). The external validity of the nomogram was assessed in the validation cohort.

Results

A total of 5,904 patients spanning from January 2015 to December 2019 were enrolled in the training cohort and 1,105 patients from January 2020 to September 2020 comprised the temporal validation cohort, in which incidence rates of postoperative SIRS were 24.6 and 20.2%, respectively. Six feature variables were identified as valuable predictors to construct the nomogram, with high AUCs (0.800 [0.787, 0.813] and 0.822 [0.790, 0.854]) and relatively balanced sensitivity (0.718 and 0.739) as well as specificity (0.718 and 0.729) in both training and validation cohorts. An online risk calculator was established for clinical application.

Conclusion

We developed a patient-specific model that may assist in predicting postoperative SIRS among the aged patients.

Do the WHO-ICF personal factors "age" and "sex" impact limited activity and restricted participation category profiles differently between younger and older women and men in multimodal chronic back pain rehabilitation?

PURPOSE

To investigate if the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF) context factors "age" and "sex" would impact the disablement and respective improvement with rehabilitation defined with the ICF core set for chronic low back pain (cLBP). Furthermore, associations between limitations/restrictions and measures of body function or quality of life were of interest.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One thousand five hundred and twelve employed cLBP patients who completed 6 months of outpatient rehabilitation and for whom complete assessments were available before and after rehabilitation. Rehabilitation comprised of progressive resistance training, psychological counseling, and educational sessions. Main outcome measures were the ICF-activity/participation core categories automatically predicted from random forests and utilizing information from the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and Pain Disability Index.

RESULTS

Generalized linear-mixed models revealed that upon completion of rehabilitation the presence of a limitation within the ICF activity "walking" significantly decreased with significant between-group differences. The category "doing housework" demonstrated gender-specific differences, and both gender- and age-specific differences were observed for work-related participation categories. There were no meaningful associations between ICF limitation/restriction categories and body function measures (point-biserial/Spearman's correlations).

CONCLUSIONS

The personal factors "age" and "sex" impact some ICF limitation/restriction categories in cLBP; appropriately addressing these personal features could further improve phase III rehabilitation outcome.Implications for rehabilitationConsistent with calls to explore the age and sex/gender influence on health and disease, little is known how these factors affect the disablement of individuals with chronic back pain.The factors "age" and "sex" drive differences in some categories within the ICF activity/restriction categories.If age- and gender-specific features in activities and participation are not appropriately addressed through interventions, rehabilitation outcome may remain suboptimal in cLBP.

Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale: Which Has Superior Measurement Properties in Older Adults With Low Back Pain?

OBJECTIVE

To examine the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of 3 commonly used questionnaires for assessing physical function (ie, Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale [QBPDS], and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]) in older patients undergoing chiropractic care for low back pain (LBP).

DESIGN

Head-to-head clinimetric comparison.

METHODS

Patients completed the ODI, QBPDS, and RMDQ at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment. Reliability was evaluated for internal consistency (Cronbach α), test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and measurement error (standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change [SDC]). Structural validity was evaluated through unidimensional confirmatory factor analysis, and construct validity was investigated by a priori hypotheses with other measures. Responsiveness was evaluated by testing a priori hypotheses using data at baseline and at 2-week follow-up.

RESULTS

Two hundred fourteen patients (53% males and 47% females) with a mean age of 66.2 years (standard deviation = 7.8 years) were included, of which 193 patients completed the 2-week follow-up for our responsiveness analysis. The RMDQ, ODI, and QBPDS showed sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach α of .89, .86, and .94, respectively) and test-retest reliability (ICC[2,1] of 0.85, 0.89, and 0.84, respectively). The SDC for the RMDQ was 6.9, for the ODI was 19.1, and for the QBPDS was 23.6, which are values larger than the minimal important change. None of the measures met all criteria for sufficient structural validity, but the RMDQ and ODI exhibited a partial unidimensional fit. The questionnaires had sufficient construct validity and responsiveness.

CONCLUSION

The ODI, QBPDS, and RMDQ have similar measurement properties in older adults with LBP. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(7):457-469. Epub: 18 May 2022. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.10802.

Characteristics of older adults with back pain associated with choice of first primary care provider: a cross-sectional analysis from the BACE-N cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To describe characteristics of older adults with back pain in primary care, and to assess associations between patient characteristics and type of first primary care provider (general practitioner (GP), physiotherapist (PT) or chiropractor).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis from the Back Complaints in the Elders-Norway cohort study.

SETTING

Norwegian GP, PT and chiropractic primary care centres.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged ≥55 years seeking Norwegian primary care with a new episode of back pain were invited to participate. Between April 2015 and February 2020, we included 452 patients: 127 first visited a GP, 130 first visited a PT and 195 first visited a chiropractor.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

For the first objective, the outcome measure was descriptive statistics of patient characteristics, covering the following domains: sociodemographic, general health, current and previous back pain, psychological and clinical factors. For the second objective, first primary care provider was the outcome measure. Associations between patient characteristics and visiting a GP or PT compared with a chiropractor were assessed with multiple multinomial regression analyses.

RESULTS

Median (IQR) age was 66 (59-72) years. Levels of back-related disability was moderate to severe, with a median (IQR) Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (range 0-24) score of 9 (5-13). Recurring episodes were common, 301 (67%) patients had monthly or yearly recurrences. Patients with worse back-related disability, longer duration of symptoms, lower expectations for full recovery and worse physical performance measured with the Back Performance Scale had higher odds of visiting a GP or PT compared with a chiropractor (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Older back pain patients in primary care had moderate to severe levels of back-related disability, and most had recurring episodes. Our results suggest that older adult's choice of first primary care provider was associated with important patient characteristics, which highlights the need for caution with generalisations of study results across primary care populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04261309.