DISCO - Influence of a Simple Information Booklet on the Evolution of Acute Low Back Pain (LBP)

A 3-month prospective, controlled study with a quasi-experimental design (i.e., a nonrandomized controlled sample with geographic stratification [30 areas]). Control and intervention areas ARE selected for their similarities in rural-to-urban distribution of the population and patients' access to GPs and to minimize risk of overlap between areas.

Inclusion criteria

• Each GP have to enroll up to 4 patients with acute LBP.

Exclusion criteria

Patients are excluded if they

• are less than 18 years old;
• have pain for more than 4 weeks;
• have pain intensity for the previous 24 hours less than 3 on a 11-point numeric scale (0= no pain, 10=maximal pain);
• have sciatica;
• have had a previous episode of acute LBP during the last 12 months;
• have no occupational activities;
• have consulted another practitioner for the same episode of back pain;
• are pregnant;
• have back pain related to infection, tumor, or inflammatory disease; or (j) have previously undergone back surgery.

The above information is not intended to contain all considerations relevant to a patient's potential participation in a clinical trial.