In order to reduce high healthcare costs for patients with lower back pain, physicians should focus on patients with severe pain and depressive comorbidity, according to a study published in Spine.
The study recruited 1,378 patients who received consulting for lower back pain from general practitioners. In a six to 12 month follow-up, the researchers evaluated patient costs and found the mean direct and indirect costs for lower back pain care were twice as high for patients with chronic pain than for acutely ill patients.
Additionally, the study found that 25 percent of direct costs referred to therapeutic procedures and hospital or rehabilitation care. Depression was higher among patients receiving direct healthcare utilization. Researchers concluded that physicians with an economic understanding of lower back pain care can give the best advice to patients regarding healthcare improvement and cost reduction.
Read the abstract for "Low Back Pain in Primary Care: Costs of Care and Prediction of Future Health Care Utilization."
Read other coverage on developments in spine surgery:
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Biologics in Spine Surgery
- Researchers Recommend Angiography After Spine Surgery
- Which ASC Model is Best-Equipped to Deliver Spine Surgery: Multi-Specialty or Spine-Focused
The study recruited 1,378 patients who received consulting for lower back pain from general practitioners. In a six to 12 month follow-up, the researchers evaluated patient costs and found the mean direct and indirect costs for lower back pain care were twice as high for patients with chronic pain than for acutely ill patients.
Additionally, the study found that 25 percent of direct costs referred to therapeutic procedures and hospital or rehabilitation care. Depression was higher among patients receiving direct healthcare utilization. Researchers concluded that physicians with an economic understanding of lower back pain care can give the best advice to patients regarding healthcare improvement and cost reduction.
Read the abstract for "Low Back Pain in Primary Care: Costs of Care and Prediction of Future Health Care Utilization."
Read other coverage on developments in spine surgery:
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Biologics in Spine Surgery
- Researchers Recommend Angiography After Spine Surgery
- Which ASC Model is Best-Equipped to Deliver Spine Surgery: Multi-Specialty or Spine-Focused