Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain.

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION:

What are the best red flags to indicate the possibility of fracture or malignancy in patients presenting with low back pain in primary, secondary, or tertiary care?

SUMMARY ANSWER:

Older age, prolonged corticosteroid use, severe trauma, and presence of a contusion or abrasion increase the likelihood of spinal fracture (likelihood was higher with multiple red flags); a history of malignancy increases the likelihood of spinal malignancy.

• Authors: Aron Downie, Christopher M Williams, Nicholas Henschke, Mark J Hancock, Raymond W J G Ostelo, Henrica C W de Vet, Petra Macaskill, Les Irwig, Maurits W van Tulder, Bart W Koes, Christopher G Maher
• Journal: British journal of sports medicine (Br J Sports Med) Vol. 48 Issue 20 Pg. 1518 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1473-0480 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25257627 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.