Characterization of Acute Low Back Pain in a Community-Based Cohort

Abstract Acute low back pain (LBP) is a common experience, however, the associated pain severity, pain frequency, and characteristics of individuals with acute LBP in community settings have yet to be well understood. The purpose of this manuscript is to categorize and compare acute LBP groups for differences in the following characteristics: 1) sociodemographic, 2) general and physical health, and 3) psychological. This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 131 community-based participants with acute LBP (<4 weeks duration before screening and > 30 pain-free days before acute LBP onset). Two LBP categorization definitions were used based on LBP frequency combined with either: 1) pain interference frequency (impact-based) or 2) pain intensity (intensity-based). Descriptive associations were calculated as prevalence ratios for categorical variables and Hedges’ g for continuous variables. Our analyses identified several large associations for impact-based and intensity-based categories for pain interference with activity and with enjoyment in life, global mental health, STarT Back Screening Tool risk category, general health, and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Physical Activity subscale. Larger associations were found with social constructs (racially and ethnically minoritized, performance of social roles, and isolation) when using the intensity-based versus impact-based categorization. This study adds to the literature by providing standard ways to characterize community-based individuals experiencing acute LBP. The robust differences observed between these categorization approaches suggest they may be used to improve the early identification of factors potentially contributing to the development of chronic LBP.