Korean medicine registry for low back pain: a study protocol for prospective observational multi-center study (KLOS)

Abstract

Background Low back pain (LBP) is a major burden in Korea. Despite its high prevalence, the government and the public health sector do not address the specific evidences of symptom control and prevention of LBP to reduce long-term healthcare costs and increase the quality of life. Thus, the Korean medicine sector encourages to collection and analysis of the medical utilization pattern of patients with LBP in Korea to provide evidences of LBP control strategy as well as political decisions. Methods KLOS, a prospective, multi-center, patient registry pilot study will collaborate with 7 traditional Korean medicine hospitals and recruit patients with LBP into the registry. A total of 150 eligible patients with new episodes of LBP, who visit a Korean hospital without any other treatment history, will be enrolled in the registry. After enrollment, we will collect the individual characteristics of each patient, such as pain intensity, LBP-related daily disability, anthropometrics, and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) at baseline and FU1 and FU2. We will also access the patients’ clinical and administrative electronic records to analyze the pattern of patients’ resource utilization. Overall, the aims of KLOS are to (1) explore the general characteristics of patients with new episodes of LBP and (2) evaluate the efficacy and safety of various Korean medicine treatments for LBP, based on nationwide registry outcome collecting process. Discussion The first pilot study of prospective, multi-center registry of newly diagnosed LBP patients in traditional Korean medicine hospitals. The result of this study may show the current status of LBP patients who receive Korean medicine treatments and provide evidences for reasonable decision-making on Korean medicine healthcare policy in the future. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02418286.

Trends of Korean medicine service utilization for lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis: A 10-year analysis of the 2010 to 2019 data

“…Meanwhile, with reports and publications of positive outcomes for patients with LDH who received KM inpatient treatments, [18,19] the preference for KM treatment increased among patients with spinal diseases, and with an increase in the ratio of treatments for LDH in KM hospitals, it is reasoned that the ratio of inpatient treatment also increased accordingly. [5,14] The number of patients with LSS visiting KM institutions also showed a steady trend of an annual increase, resulting in an increase of 7.8 times over ten years. LSS is a symptom caused by compression of nerves with narrowing of the spinal canal, and it is mainly attributable to degenerative changes in the spine.…”

“…Meanwhile, with reports and publications of positive outcomes for patients with LDH who received KM inpatient treatments, [ 18 , 19 ] the preference for KM treatment increased among patients with spinal diseases, and with an increase in the ratio of treatments for LDH in KM hospitals, it is reasoned that the ratio of inpatient treatment also increased accordingly. [ 5 , 14 ]…”

“…Among musculoskeletal disorders, treatment of LBP accounted for the highest percentage of 6.6%. [14] As such, LSS and LDH are representative diseases that cause LBP, and are also diseases for which KM treatment is often used. Also, previous studies have shown that KM treatments are effective in treating patients with LDH, and LSS.…”

“…However, with a recent increase in the long-term management of chronic conditions and rising costs, an increasing number of patients opt for conservative treatments based on KM. [ 14 ] According to the Korea Health Panel data from 2008 to 2009, patients with musculoskeletal disorders visited KM institutions more frequently than WM institutions. Furthermore, the 2011 National Survey of oriental (Korean) medicine utilization and herbal drug consumption revealed that treatment of musculoskeletal disorders was the most common reason for visiting KM institutions (50.2%).…”

“…Among musculoskeletal disorders, treatment of LBP accounted for the highest percentage of 6.6%. [ 14 ]…”