Recurrent low back disorder rates vary from as low as 1% to as high as 82%. The sample population as well as definition of recurrence influence the rate of recurrence found in the literature. The objective of this study was to examine four definitions of recurrent low back disorders on the same population. Two hundred and six workers with manual material handling jobs who had reported work-related low back pain were monitored prospectively for recurrent low back disorders for 1-year. Recurrence of low back disorder was defined as 1) low back pain symptoms, 2) a visit to a medical provider (company or personal) for low back pain, 3) self-reported time off work due to low back pain, and 4) confirmed (by employer) lost time due to back pain. The recurrence rates were 58% for pain symptoms, 36% for seeking medical attention, 15% for lost time and 10% for confirmed lost time.
Answer to the Letter to the Editor of F. M. Kovacs et al. entitled “Overviews should meet the methodological standards of systematic reviews” concerning “The evidence on surgical interventions for low back disorders, an overview of systematic reviews” by Wilco C.H. Jacobs et al.; Eur Spine J, doi:10.1007/s00586-013-2823-4