Bearing in mind the limited number of studies and the low method ological quality , there are some indications that the localization ( radiation to the arms/neurologic signs ) and radiologic findings ( degenerative changes in the discs and joints ) are not associated with a worse prognosis .
A higher severity of pain and a history of previous attacks however , seems to be associated with a worse prognosis
Neck pain occurs frequently in western societies .
In the majority of cases , no specific cause can be identified .
In order to gain insight into the clinical course and prognostic factors of non-specific neck pain , a systematic review was conducted .
Risk of recurrence of occupational back pain over three year follow up.
A r and om sample including 2342 cases representative of all occupational back injuries in Quebec ( 1981 ) was followed up prospect ively over three years to assess the recurrence rate of back problems ( lumbar , thoracic , and cervical ) . Each medical and accident report was review ed to obtain the site of symptoms and occupation . Age , sex , industrial sector , and number of episodes of absence from work were abstract ed from the computerised Quebec Compensation Board files . The recurrence rate was 20.0 % at one year follow up and 36.3 % at three years . A multivariate analysis using a Poisson regression , was performed to model the risk of recurrence over time . Men had a higher chance of recurrence ( risk ratio = 1.85 , 95 % CI = 1.50 - 2.27 ) but among recurrent cases , the average total number of episodes was comparable between men and women . Age showed a protective effect on the probability of recurrence ( 10 years : RR = 0.93 , 95 % CI = 0.88 - 0.98 ) due to the lower recurrence rate in the 45 - 64 year old group ( 31.8 % ) . Cervical and lumbar symptoms had identical recurrence profiles whereas thoracic symptoms had a significantly lower recurrence rate . Drivers had the highest recurrence rate ( 42.1 % ) and nurses had the highest average number of recurrences ( 2.03 ) among recurrent cases . Both occupations had statistically significant excesses after controlling for the other variables
Bearing in mind the limited number of studies and the low method ological quality , there are some indications that the localization ( radiation to the arms/neurologic signs ) and radiologic findings ( degenerative changes in the discs and joints ) are not associated with a worse prognosis .
A higher severity of pain and a history of previous attacks however , seems to be associated with a worse prognosis
Neck pain occurs frequently in western societies .
In the majority of cases , no specific cause can be identified .
In order to gain insight into the clinical course and prognostic factors of non-specific neck pain , a systematic review was conducted .