European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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The modified Japanese orthopaedic association scale (mJOA) is considered one of the most appropriate outcome measures for the assessment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Moreover, mJOA has been recognised among the key predictors of surgical outcome at a global level. To apply the mJOA successfully at an international level, it should be translated and culturally adapted in the native language of the investigators using this scale. A translated version of the mJOA or any other functional scale has never been studied within an Italian population affected by CSM. The aim of this study has been to describe translation, cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the mJOA (mJOA-IT). ⋯ The mJOA-IT proved to be a reliable and valid tool to assess patients affected by CSM. This form is recommended to be used for clinical and research purposes in Italy, to promote the global standardisation of assessment tools and to compare studies on CSM worldwide.
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To investigate agreement and reliability among clinicians when diagnosing low back-related leg pain (LBLP) in primary care consulters. ⋯ Reliability was fair among clinicians from different backgrounds when diagnosing LBLP but improved substantially with high confidence in clinical diagnosis.
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Observational Study
Emotional distress drives health services overuse in patients with acute low back pain: a longitudinal observational study.
To determine whether emotional distress reported at the initial consultation affects subsequent healthcare use either directly or indirectly via moderating the influence of symptoms. ⋯ Emotional distress in the acute stage of low back pain increased subsequent consultation rates. Interventions that target emotional distress during the initial consultation are likely to reduce costly and potentially inappropriate future healthcare use for patients with non-specific low back pain.
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Investigation of self-reported of low back pain (LBP) over the last month and associated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of a community-dwelling population aged ≥65. ⋯ LBP appears to be a more permanent condition in the older groups. LBP may be a part of the definition of a subgroup of elderly at risk of becoming frail in relation with higher levels of functional limitations, psychological difficulties and social restrictions, hence globally impaired HRQoL.
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Tennis is widely practiced by adolescents in many countries. Many spinal deformity experts consider this activity, together with other asymmetrical sports, as risk factors for scoliosis development even though scientific data are missing. The aim of the present study was to verify the prevalence of spinal deformities and LBP in adolescent competitive tennis players compared to healthy controls. ⋯ The correlation between tennis, an asymmetric sport, and spinal deformities that has been postulated by many experts was not confirmed by our data. There was no correlation between tennis and LBP, even if there were some differences among groups for limitations of the daily activities. Adolescent competitive tennis showed to be a safe sport without an increased risk of spinal deformities and LBP.