Systematic Review of Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Workers with Sub Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain.

Purpose We systematically reviewed the evidence on factors that predict duration of sick leave in workers after 6 weeks low back pain (LBP) related sick leave. We hypothesized that different factors affect the duration of the leave depending on the time away from work. Methods The review occurred in seven phases: (1) developing the central question, (2) conducting the literature search, (3) identifying relevant publications, (4) quality appraisal, (5) data extraction, (6) evidence synthesis, and (7) knowledge translation. We searched for studies that reported episodes of LBP and sick leave that lasted more than 6 weeks. All included studies reported at least one prognostic factor where return to work was the outcome. Results We identified twenty-two relevant publications. The impact of pain, functional status and radiating pain seems to change with duration of work disability. Workers' recovery expectations remain important after 6 weeks. Modified duties are rarely studied in later phases of work disability. Depression/mental health did not appear to be an important factor in later phases. Workplace physical factors remain important. There is insufficient evidence that pain catastrophising and fear avoidance are predictive factors in later phases. There was moderate evidence for age in the later phases. Functional capacity and claim related factors were supported by some evidence. Discusion Physical demands in the workplace are preventing workers from getting back to work in a timely fashion across phases. The psychosocial work environment is understudied in later phases. Overall, we cannot conclude that prognostic factors change over time.

A systematic review of strategies to improve appropriate use of opioids and to reduce opioid use disorder and deaths from prescription opioids.

BACKGROUND: Abuse of prescription opioids is a serious problem in North America. AIMS: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature to examine existing strategies aimed at improving the appropriate use of prescription opioids and/or reducing the misuse, abuse, and diversion of these drugs. METHODS: The following electronic databases were searched to September 2015 without language restrictions: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL; the grey literature was searched to May 2014. Reference lists of retrieved papers were also searched. Studies were eligible if a strategy was implemented and its impact on at least one of the primary outcomes of interest (appropriate prescription opioid use; misuse, abuse, opioid use disorder, diversion; overdose) was measured. Standardized, prepiloted forms were used for relevance screening, quality appraisal, and data extraction. RESULTS: A total of 65 studies that assessed 66 distinct strategies were identified. Due to the heterogeneity of the strategies, a qualitative synthesis was conducted. Many studies combined more than one type of strategy and measured various types of outcomes. The strategies with most promising results involved education, clinical practices, collaborations, prescription monitoring programs, public campaigns, opioid substitution programs, and naloxone distribution. We also found strategies that had some unintended consequences after implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Our review identified successful strategies that have been implemented and evaluated in various jurisdictions. There is a need to replicate and disseminate these strategies where the problem of prescription opioid misuse and abuse has taken a toll on society.

Contexte: L'abus d'opïodes sur ordonnance est un problème grave en Amérique du Nord.But: Effectuer une revue systématique de la littérature examinée par des pairs eet de la littérature grise afin d'étudier les stratégies existantes pour améliorer l'usage approprié des opioïdes sur ordonnance ou réduire la mauvaise utilisation, l'abus ou le détournement de ces médicaments.Méthodes: Des recherches ont été effectuées sans aucune restriction de langue dans les bases de données électroniques suivantes : MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO et CINAHL jusqu'en septembre 2015 et dans la littérature grise jusqu'en mai 2014. Des recherches ont aussi été effectuées dans les listes de références des articles retenus. Les études étaient admissibles si une stratégie avait été mise en oeuvre et que son effet sur au moins un des principaux résultats étudiés (usage approprié des opioïdes sur ordonnance; mauvaise utilisation, abus, trouble de consommation ou détournement des opioïdes; surdose) avait été mesuré. Des formulaires normalisés et préalablement mis à l'essai ont été utilisés pour déterminer la pertinence et évaluer la qualité des études, et en extraire les données.Résultats: Au total, 65 études évaluant 66 stratégies distinctes ont été répertoriées. En raison de l'hétérogénéité des stratégies, une synthèse qualitative a été effectuée. De nombreuses études combinaient plus d'un type de stratégie et mesuraient divers types de résultats. Les stratégies dont les résultats étaient les plus prometteurs portaient sur l'éducation, les pratiques cliniques, les collaborations, les programmes de surveillance des ordonnances, les campagnes publiques, les programmes de substitution des opioïdes et la distribution de naloxone. Nous avons également trouvé des stratégies qui avaient eu des conséquences imprévues après leur mise en oeuvre.Conclusions: Notre revue a recensé des stratégies fructueuses mises en oeuvre et évaluées dans diverses juridictions. Ces stratégies doivent être reproduites et diffusées là où le problème de la mauvaise utilisation et de l'abus d'opioïdes sur ordonnance a eu un effet néfaste sur la société.

Rehabilitation service models for people with physical and/or mental disability living in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To compare models of rehabilitation services for people with mental and/or physical disability in order to determine optimal models for therapy and interventions in low- to middle-income countries. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Business Source Premier, HINARI, CEBHA and PubMed. STUDY SELECTION: Systematic reviews, randomized control trials and observational studies comparing >2 models of rehabilitation care in any language. Date extraction: Standardized forms were used. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR and quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. DATA SYNTHESIS: Twenty-four systematic reviews which included 578 studies and 202,307 participants were selected. In addition, four primary studies were included to complement the gaps in the systematic reviews. The studies were all done at various countries. Moderate- to high-quality evidence supports the following models of rehabilitation services: psychological intervention in primary care settings for people with major depression, admission into an inpatient, multidisciplinary, specialized rehabilitation unit for those with recent onset of a severe disabling condition; outpatient rehabilitation with multidisciplinary care in the community, hospital or home is recommended for less severe conditions; However, a model of rehabilitation service that includes early discharge is not recommended for elderly patients with severe stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip fracture and total joints. CONCLUSION: Models of rehabilitation care in inpatient, multidisciplinary and specialized rehabilitation units are recommended for the treatment of severe conditions with recent onset, as they reduce mortality and the need for institutionalized care, especially among elderly patients, stroke patients, or those with chronic back pain. Results are expected to be generalizable for brain/spinal cord injury and complex fractures.