Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Acute Low Back Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a behavioral observational study aimed at understanding the limit of tolerance (in days) of ideally performing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by people with acute low back pain. It consists of a short self-administered questionnaire. Relationships between low back pain intensity, maladaptive thoughts and awaited days before ideally requesting a MRI will be evaluated.

Detailed Description
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This is a behavioral observational study aimed at understanding the limit of tolerance (in days) of ideally performing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by people with acute low back pain (LBP) and by general practitioners (GP). Literature pointed out that LBP is a common occurrence in people, with high rates of self-resolution in the absence of red flags (i.e. possible indicators of serious spinal pathology). In Italy there is an over-prescription of MRI despite international guidelines go the opposite way. The study consists of a short self-administered questionnaire which will be given to people and GP to complete. In more details, the survey is made of 3 questions collecting information on the limit of tolerance (in days) before requesting (people) and prescribing (GP) a MRI for the lumbar tract of the spinal column. Further, participants will have to complete a self-administered pain intensity numerical rating scale, along with catastrophizing and anxiety self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics will be presented by taking into account the socio-demographic characteristics of the sample being investigated. Statistical correlations between participants' answers and the scores from the questionnaires will be also evaluated. This study investigates the relationships among acute low back pain, the intention of persons/GP to request/prescribe a MRI despite the absence of red flags, mood disorders and maladaptive thoughts.

Official Title
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How Many Days Will You Delay Before a MRI When You Have Low Back Pain?

Conditions
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Acute Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: The present study does not contain any intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Having acute low back pain (i.e., a pain lasting no more than 6 weeks) Adult age Ability to understand the Italian language Exclusion Criteria: Mental deficits Refuse to adhere to the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| People with acute low back pain<br>No intervention. | Other: The present study does not contain any intervention<br>* The present study does not contain any intervention<br>|
| General practitioners who treat people with acute low back pain<br>No intervention. | Other: The present study does not contain any intervention<br>* The present study does not contain any intervention<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Two questions on limit of tolerance | Design of questions which investigates the limit of tolerance of requesting and prescribing a MRI; score is expressed as number of days (neither min nor max values are stated a priori). | Up to the first day | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NRS | pain intensity Numerical Rating Scale; score 0-10 with higher estimates indicating higher levels of pain intensity | Up to the first day | 
| PCS | Pain Catastrophizing Scale; score 0-52 with higher estimates indicating higher levels of catastrophizing. | Up to the first day | 
| ZUNG | Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale; score 20-80 with higher estimates indicating higher levels of anxiety | Up to the first day | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Low back pain, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Catastrophizing, Anxiety, Red flags