Back Pain Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Back Pain, including details on lower back pain, sciatica, treatment, prevention, medication.

Correlation of measures of pain, function, and overall response: results pooled from two identical studies of etoricoxib in chronic low back pain.

Sheldon EA, Bird SR, Smugar SS, Tershakovec AM

Miami Research Associates, Miami, Florida, USA.

STUDY DESIGN: Assessment of correlation of measures of low back pain (LBP) using data pooled from 2 identical studies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative responsiveness of and correlation between various measures of LBP, including the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), the LBP intensity (LBPI) visual analog scale (VAS), and patient's global assessment of response to therapy (PGART). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several tools are available to measure pain, functional limitation, and response to therapy for LBP. Studies have shown varying degrees of responsiveness and correlation. METHODS: This was a pooled subgroup analysis of patients with chronic LBP from 2 identical studies comparing etoricoxib 60 mg, 90 mg, and placebo. LBP was assessed by the time-weighted average change from baseline over 12 weeks as measured by RMDQ, LBPI VAS, and PGART. Correlation was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The correlation (r) between LBPI and RMDQ changes ranged from 0.657 and 0.703; correlations between LBPI and PGART changes ranged from 0.677 and 0.738. Cutpoints separating responders from nonresponders for all 3 measures fell near the 66.7th percentile of response and were consistent with minimal clinically significant changes identified in the literature. CONCLUSION: In this study, the RMDQ, LBPI VAS, and PGART showed a high degree of correlation in measuring response to therapy in LBP, suggesting clinicians may be able to simplify assessments.

Published 4 March 2008 in Spine, 33(5): 533-8.
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