Follow-Up
Standardized monitoring and re-evaluation at pre-defined times
Low back pain has a good prognosis. Most episodes of low back pain have a short duration and favorable prognosis (marked reduction in pain intensity and functional disability) with about 90% of patients recovering within 6 to 8 weeks. However, 10 to 15% of individuals are at risk of developing a persistent and disabling pain condition (usually referred as chronic condition). Monitorization of the patient evolution is therefore very important.
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1) |
All patients should be assessed at baseline, 2 and 6 months after the onset of pain or exacerbation of pain. |
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2) |
At baseline, pain intensity at the time and mean of the last 7 days, functional disability and health-related quality of life outcomes should be assessed in the patients. |
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In re-evaluations, the evaluation of overall perception of improvement and satisfaction with treatment should be added. |
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The recommended instruments are the “Numerical Pain Rating” Scale and the Portuguese versions of the “Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire”, “EuroQuol ED-5D” and the “Global Back Recovery Scale”. |
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5) |
In patients with high risk of developing persistent and disabling low back pain it is recommended to use the Portuguese versions of the “Pain Catasthrophing Scale” and the “Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-13”. |
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6) |
Reassessment periods should be adjusted to the specific needs/ concerns of the patient in situations of less favorable prognosis and/ or radicular pain. |
