[Measuring physical disability and psychosocial consequences of chronic backache]

Low back-pain is one of the most frequent symptoms and its chronicity causes considerable socioeconomic costs in many countries. To evaluate the efficiency of therapeutic approaches in low back-pain we need reliable information concerning patient health status in its physical and psychosocial dimensions. After adapting the MOPO-scales, which have proven a reliable instrument in other rheumatic diseases, to special requirements in low back-pain, we assessed patient outcome using eight scales and calculating a summated health score. Statistical analysis yielded evidence our instrument to be reliable, valid, sensitive and practicable in assessing patient outcome in low back-pain.