RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The significance of low back pain in older adults
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 898
OP 900
VO 115
IS 9
A1 Fernbach, J. C.
A1 Langer, F.
A1 Gross, A. E.
YR 1976
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/115/9/898.abstract
AB A retrospective study of the practice of an orthopedic surgeon at a university teaching hospital was done to evaluate the significance of low back pain in older adults. All 259 patients in a 3-year period 50 years of age and over whose presenting complaint was low back pain or sciatica or both were identified and classified by final diagnosis. A comparison was similarly identified and classified. Systemic disease, particularly cancer, was much more prevalent in the older group. It was demonstrated that a simple screening routine consisting of measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and calcium would identify all cases of unsuspected malignant disease--that is, at least one of the values would be abnormal in every case.