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Background: although back pain is a frequently recurring disorder, the course of back pain remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to identify different trajectories in older adults with back pain who presented in general practice and to determine which baseline characteristics are associated with these trajectories. Methods: the BACE study is a prospective cohort study including 675 patients (aged >55 years) with back pain who consulted a general practitioner; patients were followed for 3 years. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify different trajectories in back pain severity measured at eight different time points. A multinomial regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with membership of an identified trajectory. Results: using the different indices of fit and the usefulness of the different trajectories in clinical practice, a 3-class cubic model was determined to be the best model. The three trajectories were defined as 'low pain trajectory', 'high pain trajectory' and 'intermediate pain trajectory'. Baseline variables associated with a higher chance of being in the intermediate or high trajectory were: female gender, higher body mass index, chronic back pain, more disability, lower scores on the SF-36 physical summary scale, and negative expectations of recovery. Conclusions: three different back pain trajectories were identified in older adults presenting with back pain in general practice. Various baseline characteristics were associated with a higher chance of being in the high or intermediate back pain trajectory. These characteristics might help identify patients at risk for a less favourable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In a small proportion of patients experiencing unspecified back pain, a specified underlying pathology is present. Objective. The purposes of this study were: (1) to identify the prevalence of physician-specified causes of back pain and (2) to assess associations between "red flags" and vertebral fractures, as diagnosed by the patients' general practitioner (GP), in older adults with back pain. Methods. The Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE) study is a prospective cohort study. Patients (aged >55 years) with back pain were included when consulting their GP. A questionnaire was administered and a physical examination and heel bone densitometry were performed, and the results determined back pain and patient characteristics, including red flags. Participants received a radiograph, and reports were sent to their GP. The final diagnoses established at 1 year were collected from the GP's patient registry. Results. Of the 669 participants included, 6% were diagnosed with a serious underlying pathology during the 1-year follow-up. Most of these participants (n=33, 5%) were diagnosed with a vertebral fracture. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age of ≥75 years, trauma, osteoporosis, a back pain intensity score of ≥7, and thoracic pain were associated with a higher chance of getting the diagnosis of a vertebral fracture. Of these variables, trauma showed the highest positive predictive value for vertebral fracture of 0.25 (95% confidence interval=0.09, 0.41) and a positive likelihood ratio of 6.2 (95% confidence interval=2.8, 13.5). A diagnostic prediction model including the 5 red flags did not increase these values. Limitations. Low prevalence of vertebral fractures could have led to findings by chance. Conclusions. In these older adults with back pain presenting in general practice, 6% were diagnosed with serious pathology, mainly a vertebral fracture (5%). Four red flags were associated with the presence of vertebral fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Older patients with back pain are more likely to visit their general practitioner (GP) and are more likely to be prescribed analgesics. Objective. To assess analgesic use in older adults with back pain in general practice. Methods. The BACE study in the Netherlands is a prospective cohort study. Patients (aged >55 years) with back complaints were recruited when consulting their GP or shortly thereafter. Measurements took place at baseline and at 3- and 6-month followup. For medication use, patients were asked if they had used any medication for their back pain in the previous 3 months and, if so, to specify the medication name, dosage used, frequency of usage, and whether the medication was prescribed or purchased over the counter. Results. Of the 1,402 patients who were approached to enter the study, 675 were included. Of these patients, 484 (72%) reported medication use at baseline. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (57%) were more often used than paracetamol (49%). Paracetamol was mostly obtained over the counter (69%), and NSAIDs were mostly obtained by prescription (85%). At baseline, patients with severe pain (numerical rating scale score ⩾7) used more paracetamol, opioids, and muscle relaxants. Patients with chronic pain (back pain >3 months) used more paracetamol, while patients with a shorter duration of pain used more NSAIDs. During follow-up there was an overall decline in medication use; however, at 3- and 6-month follow-up, 36% and 30% of the patients, respectively, still used analgesics. Conclusions. In these older adults consulting their GP with back pain, 72% used analgesics at baseline. Despite a decrease in medication use during followup, at 3 and 6 months a considerable proportion still used analgesics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Neuropathic symptoms are reported in 16-55.6% of patients with back pain. Studies were performed in various populations; however, none focused on older adults. The aim of the study was to assess prevalence of neuropathic pain in older adults with back pain. Methods Prevalence of neuropathic pain, measured with the Dolour Neuropathique en 4 questions ( DN4), was assessed in the Back Complaints in the Elders study ( Netherlands). Patients (>55 years) consulting their general practitioner with a new episode of back complaints were included. Two DN4-versions were used: one based on interview plus physical examination, the other based on interview alone. In the interview plus physical examination version, patients' and complaint characteristics were compared between groups with different scores (0, 1, 2, 3, and ≥4). The DN4 interview-version compared patients with negative and positive scores. Results Of the 261 included patients available for analysis were 250 patients (95.8%) with the DN4 interview plus physical examination, and 259 patients (99.2%) with the DN4 interview. In DN4 interview plus physical examination ( N = 250), five patients (2%) scored positive (score ≥4). Higher score was associated with pain radiating below the knee ( P < 0.001) and use of paracetamol ( P = 0.02). In DN4 interview ( N = 259), 29 (11.2%) patients scored positive (score ≥3). Positive score was associated with higher body mass index ( P = 0.01), pain radiating below the knee ( P = 0.001), and use of paracetamol ( P = 0.002). Conclusions In older adults with back pain presenting with a new episode in primary care, prevalence of neuropathic pain is low and seems to be associated with pain radiating below the knee, use of paracetamol, and higher body mass index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although functional bladder capacity, as expressed by maximum voided volume and other frequency-volume chart parameters, are important determinants of lower urinary tract symptoms, to our knowledge no population based data are available on changes in voided volume. We determined changes in and determinants of voided volume and voiding frequency with advancing age and with time, as measured by frequency-volume charts. Materials and Methods: We performed a longitudinal, population based study in 1,688 men 50 to 78 years old with followup at 2.1, 4.2 and 6.5 years. Data were obtained using frequency-volume charts for maximum, 24-hour and average voided volume, and 24-hour voiding frequency as well as physical and urological measurements, and self-administered questionnaires. We used a linear mixed effect model to determine factors predicting volume changes. Results: Median maximum and average voided volume decreased with time from 400 to 380 and 245 to 240 ml, respectively, and were smaller in older age groups while 24-hour voided volume showed no change. The 24-hour voiding frequency increased with time and with advancing age. Maximum, 24-hour and average voided volumes were positively related to alcohol intake. Maximum and average voided volumes were negatively related to higher age at baseline and the passage of time. Hypertension, diuretics and post-void residual volume were related to higher 24-hour voided volume. Conclusions: In older men maximum and average voided volume show a small but statistically significant decrease with time and with advancing age while 24-hour voided volume does not. Factors predicting the change in maximum or average voided volume are alcohol intake and higher age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We explored risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia in the open population. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal, population based study with a followup of 6.5 years was done in 1,688 men who were 50 to 78 years old. Data were collected on transrectal ultrasound of prostate volume, urinary flow rate, ultrasound estimated post-void residual urine volume, generic and disease specific quality of life, and symptom severity based on the International Prostate Symptom Score. Lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia were defined as an International Prostate Symptom Score of greater than 7 after a report of a score of less than 7 in the previous round. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was constructed to determine risk factors for clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia after correcting for patient age. Results: Total followup was 4,353 person-years. During followup 180 events of attaining an International Prostate Symptoms Score of greater than 7 occurred. Multivariate analysis showed that functional bladder capacity, post-void residual urine volume, treatment for cardiac diseases, education level, antidepressant use, calcium antagonist use, erectile function or dysfunction, prostate specific antigen and a family history of prostate cancer were determinants with a significant HR. Conclusions: In addition to age, we established 9 significant determinants for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, not all risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia are accounted for since we can conclude that 1 of 3 men without these risk factors will still be diagnosed with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia between ages 50 and 80 years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]