Acute low back usually resolves quickly but persistent low back pain often persists

摘要

Objective: To review the evidence of clinical course of painand disability in patients with acute and persistent low-backpain, and to investigate whether pain and disability hadsimilar courses. Data sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL andEmbase databases were searched from 1950 to November,2011. This search was supplemented by searching ofreference lists from eligible studies. Study selection:Inception cohort studies involving patients with acute (< 6weeks) and persistent (* 6 weeks) low-back pain in whichpain or disability outcomes were reported. Data extraction:Two reviewers extracted data and discrepancies wereresolved by consulting a third reviewer. Methodologicalquality was assessed using 5 criteria suggested by Altman(2001). A meta-analysis of pain and disability outcome datawas conducted, in which pain and disability were modelledas a function of time.