Comparison Between Start Back Screening Tool and Dram for Detection of Psychosocial Factors in Low Back Pain

Abstract

Objective: To correlate the results of the STarT Back Screening Tool and DRAM questionnaires, applied simultaneously, in a population with low back pain. Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study with 84 participants with low back pain assessed by both STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) and DRAM questionnaires. The degree of correlation between the two questionnaires was analyzed through the evaluation of individualized data and using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: According to the DRAM, 19% of the patients were classified as “normal”, 32.1% as “at risk” and 48.8% as “distressed”. According to SBST, 59.5% of patients were classified as “low risk”, 31% as “medium risk” and 9.5% as “high risk”. Applying the Spearman's coefficient to evaluate the degree of correlation between the two questionnaires, a value of 0.4 was obtained. This shows that there is a positive, but weak, correlation (p <0.001) between the two questionnaires. Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between the two questionnaires, but the DRAM showed a greater tendency to classify patients with some degree of psychological distress when compared to the SBST. Both questionnaires are effective in identifying these factors, but the data suggest that the DRAM may be more effective as a screening tool in patients with low back pain, in view of the higher number of patients identified. Level of evidence III; Diagnostic test study.