[Chronic backache and occupational rehabilitation: prognostic factors]

The professional outcome in 65 patients with chronic low back pain who stayed in the Invalidity Insurance Medical Observation Center from 1982 to 1987 was studied retrospectively. The group studied was composed of 51 males and 14 females aged 28 to 61 years. Thirty-one out of 65 patients (48%) returned to work, 4 to full time employment (active group), whereas 34 did not return to work (inactive group). Data established during our initial observation served to compare the 2 groups by means of a logistic regression. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups of height, weight, age, family situation, severity of the X-ray findings and the existence of an associated psychiatric diagnosis were compared. On the other hand, the absence of professional training, female gender and the presence of a radicular syndrome significantly decreased the proportion of patients returning to work. If these 3 risk factors were absent, the chance of resuming work was 72%; if one was present it was 50%, and if there were 2 or 3 risk factors it was 28%.