[Treatment effects and cost-effectiveness of interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment of patients with back pain : A controlled observational intervention study based on claims data and survey data of participants]. / Behandlungs- und Kosteneffekte der interdisziplinären multimodalen Schmerztherapie bei Patienten mit Rückenschmerz : Eine kontrollierte, nicht-randomisierte Interventionsstudie mit GKV-Daten und Teilnehmerbefragung.

BACKGROUND: Persons insured by AOK Nordost statutory health insurance (SHI) and on sick leave underwent a 20-day program of interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMST) following an initial assessment (IA). We evaluated its effectiveness regarding sick leave, utilization/costs of SHI services, and patient-reported characteristics of pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants with >14 days of IMST in 2013-2015 and with data necessary for comparison (intervention group, IG) were matched 1:1 in 2 steps. From AOK Nordost data, we identified a comparison group (CG) having characteristics matching exactly and by propensity score. Starting on the IA (IG) or a comparable reference day (CG), we analyzed utilization/costs of services related to back pain for 365 days. Participants' characteristics of pain were surveyed on the IA day and within 183-365 days. RESULTS: The 86 IG patients had on average 44.33 (median 12) days of sick leave less than the CG after their initial sick leave starting at the IA (significant, p <0.05). Fewer IG patients had ≥1 hospitalization (OR 0.33; 95%CI 0.12-0.88), ≥1 prescription of physiotherapy (OR 0.35; 95%CI 0.24-0.82), and ≥1 specialist visit (OR 0.39; 95%CI 0.10-0.52) related to back pain. More IG patients had "lasting absence of treatment" (OR 4.06; 95%CI 1.09-15.1). Follow-up interviews were available for 56 IG patients, showing less pain intensity, impairment by pain, and pain severity (significant). Regarding the SHI perspective, cost savings per patient nearly covered the IA and IMST costs. DISCUSSION: For a selected comparable population treated by protocol, IA and IMST was associated with reduction or "lasting absence" of treatment, pain relief, and major savings on sickness benefits. Other than in previous studies we found coverage of IA and IMST costs without consideration of productivity loss.

[Interdisciplinary multimodal assessment and risk-tailored pathways for patients with back pain : Prospective evaluation of an integrated healthcare delivery project]. / Interdisziplinär-multimodales sektorenübergreifendes Assessment und bedarfsorientierte Steuerung für Patienten mit Rückenschmerzen : Prospektive Evaluation eines integrierten Versorgungsprojekts.

BACKGROUND: Back pain is prevalent in the population, sometimes recurrent and may result in everyday and work disabilities. It is often a reason for seeking healthcare support. Analyzing the need of treatment and chronification-risk tailored intervention is a particular demand in healthcare delivery. OBJECTIVES: Reducing downstream consequences of back pain (e. g. pain and disability) by using an interdisciplinary multimodal assessment followed by a risk-tailored intervention. METHODS: Patients with back pain (n = 1638) underwent assessments based on the German Pain Questionnaire (GPQ) and the diagnostic assessment each by a team comprising a physician, a psychologist and a physiotherapist. They were assessed answering a follow-up questionnaire after 6 and/or 12 months (n = 832) for success criteria sensitive to change as pain, everyday and work disability. RESULTS: Patients had on average 62.5 days of work disability and 53.3% had pain up to one year. After assessment, 1447 patients (88.3%) were assigned to receive an intensive interdisciplinary multimodal back pain intervention. Intervention groups were: 120 h of full-time treatment for 4 weeks (n = 1030) or 60 h (n = 224), 48 h part time treatment for 3 months (n = 87), and in-patient hospital treatment for about 17 days (n = 106). The effect sizes of success criteria were large to very large in all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored, interdisciplinary and intensive intervention is effective in reducing downstream consequences of back pain. The treatment assignment was based on patient reports (GPQ score) and multidisciplinary assessments (clinical evidence score). Tailored interventions should include sufficient intensity for highly disabled patients. Care integration such as timely communication between the health insurance system, back pain centers and usual healthcare services as well as patient- and process-related documentation are crucial for this intervention.

[Multimodal integrated assessment and treatment of patients with back pain. Pain related results and ability to work]. / Integrationsversorgung von Patienten mit Rückenschmerzen. Schmerzbezogene Ergebnisse und Arbeitsfähigkeit.

INTRODUCTION: The results of conventional chronic back pain therapy are unsatisfactory. Deconditioning, psychosocial disorders and prolonged disability are common sequelae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The health insurance fund Deutsche Angestellten Krankenkasse (DAK) offers an interdisciplinary assessment by the Berlin-Brandenburg back pain network (BBR) to its members with ongoing work disability on account of back pain. After medical, physiotherapeutic and psychological exploration one of the following four options is suggested: further diagnostics, outpatient monomodal treatment, day-care pain management program of two intensities or inpatient pain treatment. The data of 394 patients with the leading diagnostic group of back pain (M54, ICD 10, 65.7%) and disability for 92.7 days (mean) are presented. RESULTS: The patients were severely impaired in physical and psychosocial aspects. The chronification was moderate (stage II-III of Mainz Staging System, MPSS). The success of treatment was evaluated 6 months after the initial assessment. All groups showed a significant reduction of pain, anxiety and depression whereas the wellbeing and daily activities improved, but best in the day-care pain management groups. CONCLUSION: Patient selection by a health fund, interdisciplinary assessment and severity adapted treatment resulted in significant reduction in pain and functional improvement in disabled back pain patients.