Impacto de la escuela de la espalda para lumbalgia crónica en el consumo de recursos sanitarios

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine if the back school combined with a low back exercises program (LBEP) for patients with chronic low back pain reduces visits to the health care services (primary care, emergency or other specialized consultations) compared to use of LBEP alone. Patients and methodsA retrospective descriptive study was performed. It included two groups of patients with chronic low back pain who did not require surgery, need to continue studies or changes in their usual analgesics. The first group only received physical therapy consisting of a lumbar training program (group A) and the second one received the back school program as well as the LBEP (group B). After a follow-up of 17 to 29 months, attendance to the different health care services after discharge from the rehabilitation program was analyzed. ResultsA sample of 59 patients was studied. Of these, 25 patients were included in group A and 34 in B. None of the patients in group B requested a new medical consultation. They only went to the primary care services for occasional analgesics. In group A, 28% returned for more studies in other Emergency services in general. If the visits to the emergency services are analyzed in general, 36% of the patients belong to group A versus 20.6% in group B. ConclusionsIt appears that patients who combine the low back exercises program with the Back School better assimilate the concept of chronicity and benignness of their condition. This has an effect on fewer visits to the health care services.