Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of the ScreenAssist Lumbar Questionnaire (SALQ) to determine the presence of non-musculoskeletal pain or emergent musculoskeletal pain, in terms of its sensitivity and specificity, when compared with the assessment and diagnosis made by primary care providers.Methods: Subjects were patients presenting to a primary care physician’s office with the main complaint of low back pain. SALQ data were collected within 24 hours of the appointment. A 2-month post-visit chart review was performed in order to compare scores and recommendations made by the questionnaire with the assessment and diagnosis made by the physician.Results: The SALQ demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI = 0·445–1·0) and specificity of 92% (95% CI = 0·831–0·920). The negative likelihood ratio was 0·11 (95% CI = 0·01–1·54) and the positive likelihood ratio was 9·36 (95% CI = 2·78–32). If the SALQ was positive, the post-test probability was 0·60. If the SALQ was negative, the post-test probability was 0·017.Discussion: Results from this study suggest that the SALQ can be used as an adjunct to the subjective history taking in a physical therapy evaluation to assist in the recognition of non-musculoskeletal or emergent musculoskeletal conditions requiring referral.

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