FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH REHABILITATION OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-BACK-PAIN (LBP) - PREDICTION OF EMPLOYMENT OUTCOME AT 9-MONTH FOLLOW-UP

This study examined which admission and treatment change variables pre dicted return to work in a population of patients with work-related LB P. Pain and disability perception, coping strategies, depression, and functional status were examined at admission and discharge in a sample of 117 injured male workers who participated in an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program. Discriminant function analyses, using employme nt status 9 months later as the dependent variable resulted in correct classification rates of 79%, using admission and treatment change sco res as predictors. Psychological factors at admission were the salient variables that emerged in the prediction of employment outcome at fol low-up. Of the treatment change variables, physical status and one's p erception of his/her disability significantly predicted return to work . Results of this study may be beneficial in optimizing the allocation of scarce health-care resources.