Low Back PainNCT03974191
13-year Follow-up of Women With Chronic Low Back Pain in Primary Care - a Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study
An observational study of Low Back Pain and Chronic Widespread Pain, run by Vastra Gotaland Region at 3 sites in Sweden.
Trial summary
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is among the main causes of long-term sickness absence and is associated with considerable costs for both the individual and society. LBP affects 60-80% of the population and most individuals recover, while about 10-20% develop persistent pain and disability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain, Chronic Widespread Pain, Predictors
- What is being tested?
- Change in function, activity, participation and other health related factors in CLBP and to identify predictors for pain, activity and work ability after 13 years.
- How many people
- 87 participants
- Where
- 3 sitesSweden
- Study dates
- 10 Jun 2019to 31 Mar 2020
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: The 183 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the cross-sectional study in 2006 and 131 accepted participation. All 131 from the cross-sectional study are now invited to participate in the present 13-year follow-up.The inclusion criteria at the first assessment in 2006 were: female patient, age between 18 and 60 years, low back pain (pain between costal margins and gluteal folds) with or without referred leg pain. Further criteria were; greater than 12-week's duration of symptoms, not pregnant, no known spinal disorders, no other severe somatic or psychiatric disorders, understanding in Swedish.
Who may be able to join
- All participants (n=131) included in the Cross Sectional Study in 2006
Who cannot join
- Pregnant
- Serious somatic disorders
- Serious psychiatric disorders
Trial locations and contacts
3 sites in 1 country.
Sweden3 sites
Närhälsan, Region Västra Götaland
Alingsås, Sweden
R&D primary care, Region Västra Götaland
Borås, Sweden
Närhälsan, Region Västra Götaland
Uddevalla, Sweden
About this study
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is among the main causes of long-term sickness absence and is associated with considerable costs for both the individual and society. LBP affects 60-80% of the population and most individuals recover, while about 10-20% develop persistent pain and disability. Women have a higher risk of developing chronic LBP (CLBP) and widespread pain.
Purpose: To investigate change in body function, activity, participation and other health related factors in women with CLBP after 13 years and to identify prognostic factors for pain, activity limitation and work ability.
Read more
Methods: In the present study, all women (n = 131) who were included in the cross-sectional study in 2006 and who were followed-up after 2 years are now invited to the same study-protocol 13 years after the first examination in 2006.
The Swedish Ethical Review Authority approved the study. Dnr: 2019-01944, 2019-05-21.
Read the detailed description
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is among the main causes of long-term sickness absence and is associated with considerable costs for both the individual and society. LBP affects 60-80% of the population and most individuals recover, while about 10-20% develop persistent pain and disability. Women have a higher risk of developing chronic LBP (CLBP) and widespread pain.
How LBP develops into recurrent and or more persistent pain with disability is not fully understood. Prognostic factors for pain development, work ability and self-rated activity limitation in 1 and 2-year follow-ups of persons with CLBP who sought primary care are described. Performance on physical capacity tests (6-min walking test), limitations on self-rated activity and participation and psycho-social factors play a role in unfavorable pain and function development. However, there are patients with CLBP who have no anatomical, demographic or psychosocial explanation of their symptoms. Some people with CLBP also have widespread pain and show altered pain sensitivity as fibromyalgia.
Purpose:To investigate change in body function, activity, participation and other health related factors in women with CLBP after 13 years and to identify prognostic factors for pain, activity limitation and work ability.
Methods: In the present study, all women (n = 131) who were included in the cross-sectional study in 2006 and who were followed-up after 2 years are now invited to the same study-protocol 13 years after the first examination in 2006.
Participants will be assessed by a registered physiotherapist at one occasion. Demographic data are collected, Questions about social support, sleep quality and sleep quantity, smoking and alcohol consumption. Self-reported questionnaires, pain and function performance tests will be assessed.
Data Analysis: Descriptive analysis based on data level; mean value (standard deviation), median (25th; 75th percentile), number and proportion will be used to present the group's characteristics. For analysis of change between the first assessment and after 13 years, Wilcoxon's signed rank test will be used for continuous variables and Teckentest / McNemar's test will be used for nominal data.
Multivariable regression analysis will be performed to calculate predictors of pain intensity (VAS), number of pain locations/pain distribution, self-rated activity limitation (RMDQ) and work ability after 13 years. Independent variables will be variables at the first assessment within the domains; body function (pain intensity, pain distribution, pain sensitivity, anxiety, depression, function test and stress), activity (RMDQ) and participation (work ability), as well as other health-related factors (Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-36), Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument, Experience of Physical Activity). Multivariable regression models will be adjusted for age, level of education and social status. P-value is set to 0.05.
Ethical approval: The Swedish Ethical Review Authority approved the study. Dnr: 2019-01944, 2019-05-21.
Expected Results: The results is expected to provide knowledge about long-term clinical course (13 years) and prognostic factors for a positive pain and function development of CLBP in women seeking primary care.
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain, Chronic Widespread Pain, Predictors, Pain, Physical Activity, Work Ability
- Being tested
- Change in function, activity, participation and other health related factors in CLBP and to identify predictors for pain, activity and work ability after 13 years.
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Pain, Physical Activity, Physical Capacity, Work Ability, Primary Health Care
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain, Chronic Pain, Pain, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Change in function, activity, participation and other health related factors in CLBP and to identify predictors for pain, activity and work ability after 13 years.Other
13-year prospective longitudinal cohort study
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 131 participants with chronic low back pain | All the participants (n=131) with chronic low back pain (CLBP) from the cross-sectional study in 2006 are invited to participate in the present 13-year follow-up. The same examination battery used in the cross-sectional study plus a supplementary Chair Stand Test will be used. Receives: Other: Change in function, activity, participation and other health related factors in CLBP and to identify predictors for pain, activity and work ability after 13 years. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Activity limitation
Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) will be used.
Measured: 2019, change from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for activity limitation (RMDQ) at the 13-year follow-up
Pain intensity
A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging 0 to 100 mm will be used for pain intensity during the last week. 0 mm indicates no pain and 100 mm indicates very severe pain. Higher score indicates more severe pain.
Measured: 2019, Change from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for pain intensity (VAS) at the 13-year follow-up.
Work ability
Sick-leave periods, and sickness and activity compensation is obtained from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency's MiDAS database. Self-reported work status dichotomized into two categories, work ability or not will be used.
Measured: 2019, Comparison from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for work ability at the 13-year follow-up.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Pain distribution
A drawing of the body will be used for assessing distribution of pain
Measured: 2019, Comparison from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for pain distribution at the 13-year follow-up.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Jun 2019
- Study start10 Jun 2019
- Primary completion31 Mar 2020
- Study completion31 Mar 2020
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Vastra Gotaland RegionThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 87 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Vastra Gotaland Region
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Collaborators
- Göteborg University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Lena Nordeman, PhD, Principal investigator, R&D primary care Region Västra Götaland, University of Gothenburg Sweden
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03974191
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- VGFOUREG855601
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 27 May 2019
- Last updated
- 28 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Nordeman L, Gunnarsson R, Mannerkorpi K. Prevalence and characteristics of widespread pain in female primary health care patients with chronic low back pain. Clin J Pain. 2012 Jan;28(1):65-72. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e318223622c.
PubMed 21677567Nordeman L, Grimby-Ekman A, Ho-Henriksson CM, Enhorning E, Hellgren M, Bergenheim A. Change in self-reported activity in chronic low back pain after 13 years - a prospective longitudinal cohort study in primary healthcare. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Dec 3;27(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-09371-8.
PubMed 41331477
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- 13-year Follow-up of Women With Chronic Low Back Pain in Primary Care - a Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03974191
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VGFOUREG855601
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain, Chronic Widespread Pain, Predictors, Pain, Physical Activity, Work Ability
- Keywords
- Low Back Pain, Pain, Physical Activity, Physical Capacity, Work Ability, Primary Health Care
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 87 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Vastra Gotaland RegionOther government
- Collaborators
- Göteborg University
- Study start
- 10 Jun 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2020 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2020 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Jun 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is among the main causes of long-term sickness absence and is associated with considerable costs for both the individual and society. LBP affects 60-80% of the population and most individuals recover, while about 10-20% develop persistent pain and disability. Women have a higher risk of developing chronic LBP (CLBP) and widespread pain.
Purpose: To investigate change in body function, activity, participation and other health related factors in women with CLBP after 13 years and to identify prognostic factors for pain, activity limitation and work ability.
Methods: In the present study, all women (n = 131) who were included in the cross-sectional study in 2006 and who were followed-up after 2 years are now invited to the same study-protocol 13 years after the first examination in 2006.
The Swedish Ethical Review Authority approved the study. Dnr: 2019-01944, 2019-05-21.
Detailed description
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is among the main causes of long-term sickness absence and is associated with considerable costs for both the individual and society. LBP affects 60-80% of the population and most individuals recover, while about 10-20% develop persistent pain and disability. Women have a higher risk of developing chronic LBP (CLBP) and widespread pain.
How LBP develops into recurrent and or more persistent pain with disability is not fully understood. Prognostic factors for pain development, work ability and self-rated activity limitation in 1 and 2-year follow-ups of persons with CLBP who sought primary care are described. Performance on physical capacity tests (6-min walking test), limitations on self-rated activity and participation and psycho-social factors play a role in unfavorable pain and function development. However, there are patients with CLBP who have no anatomical, demographic or psychosocial explanation of their symptoms. Some people with CLBP also have widespread pain and show altered pain sensitivity as fibromyalgia.
Purpose:To investigate change in body function, activity, participation and other health related factors in women with CLBP after 13 years and to identify prognostic factors for pain, activity limitation and work ability.
Methods: In the present study, all women (n = 131) who were included in the cross-sectional study in 2006 and who were followed-up after 2 years are now invited to the same study-protocol 13 years after the first examination in 2006.
Participants will be assessed by a registered physiotherapist at one occasion. Demographic data are collected, Questions about social support, sleep quality and sleep quantity, smoking and alcohol consumption. Self-reported questionnaires, pain and function performance tests will be assessed.
Data Analysis: Descriptive analysis based on data level; mean value (standard deviation), median (25th; 75th percentile), number and proportion will be used to present the group's characteristics. For analysis of change between the first assessment and after 13 years, Wilcoxon's signed rank test will be used for continuous variables and Teckentest / McNemar's test will be used for nominal data.
Multivariable regression analysis will be performed to calculate predictors of pain intensity (VAS), number of pain locations/pain distribution, self-rated activity limitation (RMDQ) and work ability after 13 years. Independent variables will be variables at the first assessment within the domains; body function (pain intensity, pain distribution, pain sensitivity, anxiety, depression, function test and stress), activity (RMDQ) and participation (work ability), as well as other health-related factors (Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-36), Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument, Experience of Physical Activity). Multivariable regression models will be adjusted for age, level of education and social status. P-value is set to 0.05.
Ethical approval: The Swedish Ethical Review Authority approved the study. Dnr: 2019-01944, 2019-05-21.
Expected Results: The results is expected to provide knowledge about long-term clinical course (13 years) and prognostic factors for a positive pain and function development of CLBP in women seeking primary care.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 131 participants with chronic low back pain | – | Other: Change in function, activity, participation and other health related factors in CLBP and to identify predictors for pain, activity and work ability after 13 years.All the participants (n=131) with chronic low back pain (CLBP) from the cross-sectional study in 2006 are invited to participate in the present 13-year follow-up. The same examination battery used in the cross-sectional study plus a supplementary Chair Stand Test will be used. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The 183 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the cross-sectional study in 2006 and 131 accepted participation. All 131 from the cross-sectional study are now invited to participate in the present 13-year follow-up.The inclusion criteria at the first assessment in 2006 were: female patient, age between 18 and 60 years, low back pain (pain between costal margins and gluteal folds) with or without referred leg pain. Further criteria were; greater than 12-week's duration of symptoms, not pregnant, no known spinal disorders, no other severe somatic or psychiatric disorders, understanding in Swedish.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- All participants (n=131) included in the Cross Sectional Study in 2006
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Pregnant
- Serious somatic disorders
- Serious psychiatric disorders
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Change in function, activity, participation and other health related factors in CLBP and to identify predictors for pain, activity and work ability after 13 years.13-year prospective longitudinal cohort study | Other | 131 participants with chronic low back pain |
Primary outcome
Activity limitation
Time frame: 2019, change from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for activity limitation (RMDQ) at the 13-year follow-up
Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) will be used.
Pain intensity
Time frame: 2019, Change from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for pain intensity (VAS) at the 13-year follow-up.
A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging 0 to 100 mm will be used for pain intensity during the last week. 0 mm indicates no pain and 100 mm indicates very severe pain. Higher score indicates more severe pain.
Work ability
Time frame: 2019, Comparison from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for work ability at the 13-year follow-up.
Sick-leave periods, and sickness and activity compensation is obtained from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency's MiDAS database. Self-reported work status dichotomized into two categories, work ability or not will be used.
1 secondary outcome
Pain distribution
Time frame: 2019, Comparison from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for pain distribution at the 13-year follow-up.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 21677567Nordeman L, Gunnarsson R, Mannerkorpi K. Prevalence and characteristics of widespread pain in female primary health care patients with chronic low back pain. Clin J Pain. 2012 Jan;28(1):65-72. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e318223622c.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41331477Nordeman L, Grimby-Ekman A, Ho-Henriksson CM, Enhorning E, Hellgren M, Bergenheim A. Change in self-reported activity in chronic low back pain after 13 years - a prospective longitudinal cohort study in primary healthcare. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Dec 3;27(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-09371-8.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Lena Nordeman, PhD principal investigator
R&D primary care Region Västra Götaland, University of Gothenburg Sweden
3 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Low Back Pain and Chronic Widespread Pain, run by Vastra Gotaland Region at 3 sites in Sweden.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 3 sites in Sweden. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Activity limitation (time frame: 2019, change from the first assessment (2006) to the present 13-year follow-up (2019), identify predictors (2006) for activity limitation (RMDQ) at the 13-year follow-up). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03974191, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 May 2026.