Subsequent health-care utilization associated with early physical therapy for new episodes of low back pain in older adults

摘要: Abstract Background The association between early physical therapy (PT) and subsequent health-care utilization following a new visit for low back pain is not clear, particularly in the setting of acute pain. Purpose This study aimed to estimate initiating PT an episode pain–specific older adults. Design/Setting prospective cohort study. Data were collected at three integrated systems United States through Back Pain Outcomes using Longitudinal (BOLD) registry. Patient Sample We recruited 4,723 adults, aged 65 older, presenting primary care with Outcome Measures Primary outcome was total relative value units (RVUs), from days 29 365. Secondary outcomes included overall RVUs all health use specific services including imaging (x-ray magnetic resonance [MRI] or computed tomography [CT]), emergency department visits, physician PT, spinal injections, surgeries, opioid use. Methods compared patients who had (initiated within 28 index visit) those appropriate, generalized linear models adjust potential confounding variables. Results Adjusted analysis found no statistically significant difference spine two groups (ratio means 1.19, 95% CI 0.72–1.96, p=.49). For secondary outcomes, only significant. group greater RVUs; ratio 2.56 (95% 2.17–3.03, p Conclusions that adults pain, associated any receiving PT.