Why do patients with low back pain seek care at emergency department? A cross-sectional study

Author(s)

Oshima, Renan Kendy Ananias ; Vanin, Adriane Aver ; Nascimento, Jessica Pelegrino ; Kawchuk, Greg ; Costa, Leonardo Oliveira Pena ; Costa, Luciola da Cunha Menezes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY; v. 26, n. 5, p. 9-pg., 2022-09-01.

Abstract

Background: It is unclear why patients with low back pain seek care in emergency departments. Objectives: We aim to describe the demographic, physical, and psychological characteristics, and reasons for seeking care at emergency departments due to an episode of low back pain. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in an emergency department of a public hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from September 2018 to May 2019. All patients who presented with a new episode of low back pain as the main complaint for seeking care at the emergency department on regular weekdays were invited to participate. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, general health characteristics, psychosocial risk factors, and reasons for visiting the emergency department. Results: A total of 200 patients participated. We observed that most patients (68%) were women, with a mean age of 55 years, and who had previous episodes of low back pain (86%). Most patients went to the emergency department because they were worried about their pain (78%) and because they could not control their pain (73%). Patients also choose the emergency department because it is always available, it is free, and provided them good care. Conclusions: Most patients with low back pain seek care at emergency departments because they were worried about their pain and because the department is always open and does not require appointment. Understanding these reasons is an important step for the implementation of future public policies to make health care more efficient, to reduce unnecessary expenses and to avoid low-value care. (C) 2022 Associacao Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pos-Graduacao em Fisioterapia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/09544-7 - Implementing the start back model of stratifying care for patients with low back pain seeking care in an emergency department: a prospective longitudinal cohort study
• Grantee: Renan Kendy Ananias Oshima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)