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Revista Ecuatoriana de Neurología
On-line version ISSN 2631-2581Print version ISSN 1019-8113
Abstract
VASQUEZ-CHACON, Mariclaudia and DIAZ-VELEZ, Cristian. Non-Cost-Effective Tests In Patients With Unspecified Lumbalgia In A Referential Hospital. Rev Ecuat Neurol [online]. 2020, vol.29, n.3, pp.23-30. ISSN 2631-2581. https://doi.org/10.46997/revecuatneurol29300023.
Introduction:
Low back pain has become a serious health problem due to its high frequency and social, labor and economic impact. 90% of them correspond to non-specific low back pain, and in them routine examinations have proved to be non-cost-effective.
Objective:
To identify the frequency of the use of non-cost-effective tests in patients with a diagnosis of non-specific low back pain treated at The Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo National Hospital, in 2014-2015.
Material and methods:
Cross-sectional descriptive study in patients aged 18 to 49 years with a diagnosis of non-specific low back pain (ICD-10 M54.5) attended by an outpatient clinic at The Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo National Hospital in 2014-2015. Census sampling was used, including a clinical history of patients without a serious or specific underlying condition or who did not show any signs of alarm to suspect them. Excluded psychiatric comorbidities or fibromyalgia, obtaining 177 patients. A collection form validated by experts was used. The data was analyzed with SPSS v.22.
Results:
A frequency of non-cost-effective exams of 53,11% was found. The occupations with the highest physical load (60,64%) and the clinical services (47,87%) were the most frequent. The radiodiagnosis exams represent approximately 75% of the exams requested. A total unnecessary expense of s / .32125,21 equivalent to USD 9818.32 was obtained.
Conclusions:
There is a high frequency of the use of non-cost-effective tests in patients with non-specific low back pain, with radiodiagnosis being the most prescribed.
Keywords : low back pain; cost-effectiveness Evaluation; Unnecessary Procedures; Medical Overuse; diagnostic imaging..