Course and prognosis of elbow complaints: a cohort study in general practice.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To describe the course of new episodes of elbow complaints in general practice, and to identify predictors of short term and long term outcome in terms of pain intensity and functional disability.

Methods

181 patients with elbow complaints filled in questionnaires at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow up. Baseline scores of pain and disability, characteristics of the complaint, sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, physical activity, general health, and comorbidity were investigated as possible predictors of outcome. Outcome measures were analysed separately using multiple regression analyses.

Results

13% of the patients reported recovery at the 3 month follow up and 34% at 12 months. Irrespective of outcome and length of follow up, a longer

SUBMITTER: Bot SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1755654 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature