Ability of Spine Specialists to Identify Psychosocial Risk Factors as Obstacles to Recovery in Patients with Low Back Pain-Related Disorders
- Author:
Mohammed Shakil PATEL
1
;
Kwang Chear LEE
;
Rakesh Padmakar DHAKE
;
Stephen LONGWORTH
;
Philip SELL
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2021;15(2):224-233
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:A prospective, single-center, consecutive cohort study was conducted over a period of 30 months. All new patients with low back-related disorders regardless of pathology completed a Yellow Flag Questionnaire that was adapted from the psychosocial flags framework. Clinicians assessing these patients completed a standardized form to determine which and how many yellow flags they had identified during the consultation.
Results:A total of 130 patients were included in the analysis, and the clinicians reported an average of 5 flags (range, 0–9). Fear of movement or injury was the most frequently reported yellow flag, reported by 87.7% (n=114) of patients. Clinician sensitivity in detecting yellow flags was poor, correctly identifying only 2 flags, on average, of the 5 reported by patients, with an overall sensitivity of only 39%.
Conclusions:The ability of spine specialists to identify yellow flags is poor and can be improved by asking patients to complete a simple screening questionnaire.
