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. 2021 Jan 27:14:161-171.
doi: 10.2147/JPR.S290400. eCollection 2021.

Treatment Preferences for Chronic Low Back Pain: Views of Veterans and Their Providers

Ilana Belitskaya-Levy  1 , J David Clark  2   3 , Mei-Chiung Shih  1 , Matthew J Bair  4   5   6
Affiliations

Treatment Preferences for Chronic Low Back Pain: Views of Veterans and Their Providers

Ilana Belitskaya-Levy et al. J Pain Res. .

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to characterize chronic low back pain (cLBP) and to identify treatment histories and preferences for cLBP management among Veterans and primary care providers within the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.

Participants and methods: Veterans with cLBP from five geographically diverse VA medical centers were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 and 10 codes from VA administrative data as were primary care providers at these same sites. From these data, Veterans (200/per site) and providers (160/per site) were selected and mailed surveys. Open-ended interview data were collected from a subset of Veterans and providers.

Results: In total, 235 Veterans and 67 providers returned completed surveys. More than 80% of the Veteran respondents had daily back pain for more than 1 year. Most Veterans had tried several treatments for their pain with medications and physical therapy being the most commonly used. Veterans and providers had similar attitudes towards many cLBP treatments with the exception of psychological therapies that were more favored by providers. Open-ended interview data showed that Veterans and providers emphasized the need for multi-component approaches to treatment.

Conclusion: Among Veterans, cLBP is typically of sustained duration, is relatively severe, and also interferes significantly with normal functioning. Veterans are experienced with respect to treatments and had similar attitudes towards many cLBP treatments as their providers, especially tailored approaches.

Keywords: chronic pain; low back pain; preferences; primary care provider; survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

David Clark reports grants from Veterans Affairs, during the conduct of the study. The authors report no other potential conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Low back pain treatment preferences of Veterans.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Low back pain treatment preferences of providers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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