What are the costs of managing neck and low back pain in Brazil? Investigation of a ten-year period from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the prospects of increased prevalence and disability due to neck and low back pain, it is relevant to investigate the care processes adopted, to assist future public policies and decision-making for a better allocation of resources. Objective: the aim of this study was to estimate the costs arising from inpatient and outpatient care of individuals with Neck Pain (NP) and Low Back Pain (LBP) in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019. METHODS: This is a cost-of-illness study from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system, based on health conditions with high prevalence (neck and low back pain). Data were presented descriptively using absolute and relative values. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2019, the health system spent more than $600 million (R$ 2.3 billion) to treat NP and LBP in adults, and LBP accounted for most of the expenses. Female had higher absolute expenses in inpatient care and in the outpatient system. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the costs with NP and LBP in Brazil were considerable. Female patients had higher outpatient costs and male patients had higher hospitalization costs. Healthcare expenses were concentrated for individuals between 34 and 63 years of age.

This study focused on understanding how much it cost to treat neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) in Brazil between 2010 and 2019, from the point of view of the public health system (i.e. Unified Health System ­ SUS). The idea was to find out how much money was spent and where. It turned out that the SUS spent, in total, more than US$600 million (R$2.3 billion) with LBP responsible for most of these expenses. Furthermore, we noted that women had higher outpatient care costs, while men had higher hospitalization costs. Those costs were more concentrated in people between 34 and 63 years of age.

The care pathway of individuals with spinal disorders in a Health Care Network in the Federal District, Brazil: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the care pathway is essential to identify how to effectively treat spinal disorders. However, there is no specific data on the pathway of these individuals in the Health Care Networks (HCN) in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathway of individuals with non-specific spinal disorders (NSD) in the HCN in the Federal District, Brazil, and verify the interventions adopted, and to test whether sociodemographic and clinical variables predict the number of imaging tests, prescribed medication, and the first HCN access. METHODS: Retrospective study that analysed electronic records of 327 individuals with NSD between 2012 and 2018. Generalized linear models estimated the association between sociodemographic and clinical data and number of drugs prescribed and imaging tests requested. Multinomial logistic regression estimated the association between clinical and demographic variables and setting of first access. RESULTS: The median age was 57 years, and 75.5% were women. Emergency Department (ED) was the most accessed setting (43.7%), and back pain was the most prevalent condition (84.5%). Most individuals underwent imaging tests (60%) and drug prescriptions (86%). Physical exercises were prescribed to 13%, and 55% were referred to physical therapy. Women were more likely to first access the ED. CONCLUSION: The ED was the most used setting by people with NSD. Few participants received exercise prescriptions and half were referred to physical therapists. Individuals who used outpatient clinics and primary care received less drug prescriptions, and women were more likely to first access the ED. Increasing age was associated with greater chance of first accessing Outpatient Clinics.

Is kinesiophobia associated with disturbances in dynamic balance in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain? / A cinesiofobia está associada a distúrbios de equilíbrio dinâmico em indivíduos com dor lombar crônica não-específica?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic non-specific low back pain is a disabling condition that has a high worldwide prevalence. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between deficits in dynamic balance, age and body mass index (BMI), and kinesiophobia, as well as to establish a comparison between men and women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 145 individuals between 18 and 50 years of age with non-specific chronic low back pain. Sociodemographic data were collected, and dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test. The Tampa Scale was used to assess kinesiophobia. A linear regression was applied to investigate the association between kinesiophobia and a set of predictor variables (balance, gender, BMI). Men and women were compared using the Student's t-test (kinesiophobia and dynamic balance). RESULTS: The overall mean kinesiophobia score was 41.3. The Y-Balance Test mean for the right and left lower limb, respectively, was 59.4 and 59.5. An association was found between kinesiophobia and two predictors: balance and BMI (R2:6.8%). No significant differences were found between gender for kinesiophobia (42.1 for women and 40.3 for men). However, women had worse dynamic balance compared to men (mean reach of 56.1 versus 63.5, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Kinesiophobia was found to be associated with disturbances in dynamic balance and BMI of individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain. However, the model explained a small variation in kinesiophobia. Women showed worse dynamic balance compared to with men.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor lombar crônica não-específica é uma condição incapacitante que possui alta prevalência mundial. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a associação entre déficits do equilíbrio dinâmico, idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC) e a cinesiofobia, além de realizar uma comparação entre homens e mulheres. MÉTODOS: Este estudo transversal incluiu 145 indivíduos com idade entre 18 e 50 anos com dor lombar crônica não-específica. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos. O equilíbrio dinâmico foi avaliado por meio do Y-Balance Test. A escala Tampa foi usada para avaliar a cinesiofobia. Aplicou-se uma regressão linear para investigar a associação entre cinesiofobia e um conjunto de variáveis preditoras (equilíbrio, sexo, IMC). Homens e mulheres foram comparados por meio do teste T de Student (cinesiofobia e equilíbrio dinâmico). RESULTADOS: O escore médio geral de cinesiofobia foi de 41,3. A média do Y-Balance Test para o membro inferior direito e esquerdo, respectivamente, foi de 59,4 e 59,5. Verificou-se uma associação entre cinesiofobia e dois preditores, a saber, equilíbrio e IMC (R2:6,8%). Não foram encontradas diferenças significantes entre sexo para cinesiofobia (42,1 para mulheres e 40,3 para homens). Entretanto, as mulheres apresentaram pior equilíbrio em comparação aos homens (média de 56,1 de alcance versus 63,5, respectivamente; p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Verificou-se que a cinesiofobia apresentou associação com distúrbios no equilíbrio dinâmico e IMC de indivíduos com dor lombar crônica não-específica. Entretanto, o modelo explicou uma pequena variação na cinesiofobia. As mulheres apresentaram um pior equilíbrio dinâmico em comparação aos homens.