Jermini-Gianinazzi, Ilaria (2023). Original research: Management of acute non-specific low back pain in the emergency department - do emergency physicians follow the guidelines? Results of a cross-sectional survey. (Thesis). Universität Bern, Bern
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Abstract
Objectives: Clinical guidelines for acute non-specific low back pain (LBP) recommend avoiding imaging studies or invasive treatments and to advise patients to stay active. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of acute non-specific LBP in the emergency departments (ED). Setting: We invited all department chiefs of Swiss EDs and their physician staff to participate in a web-based survey using two clinical case vignettes of patients with acute non-specific LBP presenting to an ED. In both cases, no neurological deficits or red flags were present. Guideline adherence and low-value care was defined based on current guideline recommendations. Results: In total, 263 ED physicians completed at least one vignette while 212 completed both vignettes (43% residents, 32% senior/attending physicians, 24% chief physicians). MRI imaging was considered in 31% in vignette 1 and 65% in vignette 2. For pain management, NSAIDs, paracetamol, and metamizole were mostly used. A substantial proportion of ED physicians considered treatments with questionable benefit and / or increased risk for adverse events such as oral steroids (vignette 1, 12%; vignette 2, 19%), muscle relaxants (33% and 38%), long-acting strong opioids (25% and 33%), and spinal injections (22 and 43%). Although guidelines recommend staying active, 72% and 67% of ED physicians recommended activity restrictions. Conclusion: Management of acute non-specific LBP in the ED was not in agreement with current guideline recommendations in a substantial proportion of ED physicians. Overuse of imaging studies, the use of long-acting opioids and muscle relaxants, as well as recommendations for activity and work restrictions were prevalent and may potentially be harmful.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Dissertation Type: | Single |
| Date of Defense: | 20 September 2023 |
| Subjects: | 300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 360 Social problems & social services 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
| Institute / Center: | 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of General Internal Medicine (DAIM) |
| Depositing User: | Hammer Igor |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Nov 2023 17:36 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Sep 2024 22:25 |
| URI: | https://boristheses.unibe.ch/id/eprint/4649 |
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