Articles: back-pain.
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Although back pain is common among older people, limited information is available about the characteristics of these patients in primary care. Earlier research suggests that the severity of back symptoms increases with older age. ⋯ In this study, older back pain patients reported more disabilities and co-morbidity. However, the clinical relevance of these differences for the course of the back pain episode in older patients remains a subject for further research.
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Rehabilitation psychology · Feb 2014
Exploring the longitudinal stability of the CSQ24 in a back pain population.
The CSQ24 is a shortened version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire and includes 24 items and four factors-Catastrophizing, Diversion, Reinterpreting, and Cognitive Coping. The factor structure of the CSQ has been a matter for debate for some time. This study aimed to explore the stability of the factor structure of the CSQ24 using repeated measurements in a back pain population at assessment, after physiotherapy treatment, and at 6 and 12 months after treatment. ⋯ These results provide support for the 4-factor structure of the CSQ24 and its longitudinal stability. Argument is provided for the need to explore the longitudinal stability of related tools in populations that undergo change as a result of treatment.
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Healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs specific to pain are a growing concern, as increasing dollar amounts are spent on pain-related conditions. Understanding which pain conditions drive the highest utilization and cost burden to the healthcare system would enable providers and payers to better target conditions to manage pain adequately and efficiently. The current study focused on 36 noncancer chronic and 14 noncancer acute pain conditions and measured the HCRU and costs per member over 365 days. ⋯ The conditions ranked highest for both per-member and total healthcare costs were hip fractures, childbirth, and non-hip, non-spine fractures. Among these, hip fractures in the Medicare member population had the highest mean cost per member (adjusted per-member cost was $21,058). Further examination specific to how pain is managed in these high-cost conditions will enable providers and payers to develop strategies to improve patient outcomes through appropriate pain management.