Return to work of 87 severely impaired low back pain patients two years after a program of intensive functional restoration
Résumé
Return to work is the main long-term objective of rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).Objectives Evaluation of work status and number of sick leaves in 87 severely impaired LBP patients 2 years after a functional restoration program. Patients and methods Open prospective study. Population: 87 chronic LBP patients. Intervention: multidisciplinary functional restoration program. Ergonomic advice on the workplace was performed for 53 patients. Outcome: work status and number of sick leaves due to LBP. Results The characteristics of the 26 patients lost to follow-up did not differ significantly from the rest of the population before the program. In the 61 remaining patients, 48 (78%) were at work at 2 years, 43 full-time and 22 at the same job. Nineteen worked in a different environment. Sick leaves were reduced by 60% compared to the 2 years prior to the program: 128 days (± 200 days) versus 329 days (± 179 days); p < 0.005. Conclusion Sick leaves remained significantly reduced and the number of workers who were at work significantly increased at 2 years after an intensive program.