Cross-sectional survey of the clinical and psychological features of low back pain and consequent work handicap: Use of the Quebec Task Force classification

A hospital-based cross-sectional study examined 657 consecutive referrals w ith low back pain over two years to a district rheumatology service serving a population of about 250,000 people. Five hundred and thirty-eight had me chanical/degenerative low back pain. The mean age was 48.6 (range 18-80 SD 15.3) years; 64% were women. Patients with radiating pain or neurological d eficit (Quebec Task Force classification) were significantly more disabled (Roland disability score p<0.001) and depressed (Modified Zung score p<0.05 ) than those without radiating pain. Women were more impaired (p=0.02) than men but had similar disabilities (mean Roland score 11.7, range 0-24 SD 6. 5), Fifty-three per cent of patients were receiving benefits and were signi ficantly more likely to have musculoskeletal comorbidities than those in wo rk (p<0.025). It is concluded that the Quebec Task Force classification of low back pain impairment is a helpful descriptor and related to both physic al and psychological disability and handicap in employment.