Community Pharmacist’s Role in Detecting Low Back Pain, and Patient Attitudes—A Cross-Sectional Observational Study in Italian Community Pharmacies

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent diseases for which patients seek advice in a community pharmacy. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the administration by community pharmacists of questionnaires to assess the LBP intensity and disability degree in patients entering community pharmacies and the attitudes they have toward pain management by pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. Methods: An explorative, cross-sectional, observational, and quantitative study was performed. Twelve Italian community pharmacists were asked to submit a questionnaire on LBP to patients visiting their pharmacies. The questionnaire included a pain intensity scale, and two validated tools: the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and the Start Back Screening Tool (SBST) to determine the degree and risk of patient disability, respectively. Results: 872 patients filled out the questionnaires in 6 months. No statistical differences between genders (p > 0.30) were recorded for pain intensity (Female: median score 6, IQR 4–7; Male: median scores 5, IQR 4–7; p > 0.30) and disability associated with LBP (RMDQ high-disability level: Females, 14.7%, Males, 15.0%; p > 0.90). Most of the patients (69%) reported a low degree of disability, but the risk of disability was medium and high in 36% and 18% of them, respectively (p < 0.05). About 14% of patients declare to never seek for physician’s advice despite their medium-high degree of disability. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the feasibility of validated tools for assessing the degree and risk of disability in LBP patients administrable in community pharmacies. Moreover, the community pharmacy resulted in an important care portal for patients suffering from moderate LBP and for intercepting patients who suffered from severe LBP but had never reported their problem to their physician.

Low back pain management attitudes and pharmacy practice: the impact of community pharmacists’ characteristics.

“…Furthermore, patients with low and medium-intensity LBP are frequently seen by GPs or community pharmacists, putting community pharmacists in a unique position to collect and interpret health status data as well as provide advice to patients. 37 In recent years, community pharmacists have increased involvement in non-dispensing roles, 20 emphasizing the significance of this study since LBP is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders reported by patients to CPs. 37 Unlike other studies on low back pain that concentrate on the pharmacists' knowledge of LBP and its treatments, this study primarily evaluates their attitudes, beliefs, and practices.…”

“…37 In recent years, community pharmacists have increased involvement in non-dispensing roles, 20 emphasizing the significance of this study since LBP is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders reported by patients to CPs. 37 Unlike other studies on low back pain that concentrate on the pharmacists' knowledge of LBP and its treatments, this study primarily evaluates their attitudes, beliefs, and practices. In this study, the majority of respondents were female, worked in independent pharmacies, had more than…”

“…Based on an analysis of the extant literature, [28][29][30] a structured questionnaire was first created to ensure the study points were relevant to the UAE context. Osteopathic specialists were consulted to ascertain whether the questionnaire's format and applicability to the study were adequate.…”