Low back pain disability: Relative costs by antecedent and industry group

Background previous studies of workers' compensation claims for low back pa in (LBP) have revealed that the preponderance of disability is borne by a f raction of cases. However less is known regarding the influence of occupati onal factors on these extreme conditions. Methods Workers' compensation claims (n = 107,867) for LBP reported to a la rge, national insurer in 1992 were examined by antecedent event and industr y class. in addition to summaries of the frequency and cost distribution, e ach factor was examined at two points on its cost distribution: one more re presentative of the typical case and one more representative of the case wi th long disability. These alternative disability indicators were introduced to explore a different perspective of LBP disability. Results The information provided by the alternative indicators Ic as distin ct from the information provided by the traditional aggregate indicators (c laim frequency and claim cost frequency). In particular this method identif ied increased severity for claims in the construction and services sectors, as well as for claims arising from falls and motor vehicle crashes. Conclusions The results suggest that the construction and service sectors c onfront unique challenges to prevention and management of LBP disability LB P related to discrete antecedents such as falls and motor vehicle crashes m erits consideration on the basis of exceptionally severe disability Am. J. Ind. Med. 37:558-571, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.