Table 3

Overall prescription rate


Acute n = 500
Subacute n = 118
Chronic n = 28

Medication prescribed at first visit, no (%)
459 (91.8)
111 (94.1)
22 (78.6)
     NSAIDs
287 (57.4)
69 (58.5)
13 (46.4)
     Analgesics
167 (33.4)
39 (33.1)
6 (21.4)
     Muscle relaxants
79 (15.8)
15 (12.7)
3 (10.7)
     Corticoids
18 (3.6)
3 (2.5)
0 (0.0)
     Gastric protectors
9 (1.8)
4(3.4)
1(3.6)
     Tranquilizers
23 (4.6)
5 (4.2)
2 (7.1)
     Other medication
23 (4.6)
4 (3.4)
1(3.6)
Procedures performed throughout the study, n (%)



SLR
351 (70.2)
74 (62.7)
13 (46.4)
Plain radiographs
193 (38.6)
66 (55.9)
18 (64.3)
CT or MRI scans
75 (15.0)
32 (27.1)
14 (50.0)
Neurophysiologic tests
12 (2.4)
5 (4.2)
4 (14.3)
Referral to rehabilitation or physical therapy
83 (16.6)
33 (28.0)
7 (25.0)
Referral to orthopaedic surgery or neurosurgery
31 (6.2)
19 (16.1)
11 (39.3)
Sick leave
136 (50.6)*
25 (33.8)*
13 (59.1)*

*Percentages refer to the 367 patients in a potentially active work situation, in which sick leave was possible.

Kovacs et al. BMC Health Services Research 2006 6:57   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-6-57