Characteristics of older patients with back pain in general practice: BACE cohort study

Background: Although back pain is common among older people, limited information is available about the characteristics of these patients in primary care. Earlier research suggests that the severity of back symptoms increases with older age. Methods: Patients aged >55 years visiting a general practitioner with a new episode of back pain were included in the BACE study. Information on patients' characteristics, characteristics of the complaint and physical examination were derived from the baseline measurement. Cross-sectional differences between patients aged >55-74 and >75 years were analysed using an unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney [/-test or a chi-square test. Results: A total of 675 back pain patients were included in the BACE study