Trends in the Annual Consultation Incidence and Prevalence of Low Back Pain and Osteoarthritis in England from 2000 to 2019: Comparative Estimates from Two Clinical Practice Databases

• DOI: 10.2147/clep.s337323
• Publication Date: 2022-02-16T11:11:13Z
• Authors: Dahai Yu; Matthew Missen; Kelvin P Jordan; John Edwards; James Bailey; Ross Wilkie; Justine Fitzpatrick; Nuzhat Ali; Paul Niblett; George Peat
• Keywords: Gold standard (test)

Purpose: To compare estimates of annual person-consulting incidence and prevalence low back pain (LBP) osteoarthritis for two national English electronic health record databases (Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum CPRD GOLD). Patients Methods: Retrospective, population-based, longitudinal cohort study. LBP cases were defined using established codelists in people aged ≥ 15 45 years, respectively. Incident new recorded a given calendar year with no relevant consultation the previous 3 years (denominator = exact person-time same at-risk population). Prevalent individuals 1 condition interest year, irrespective prior consultations all patients complete registration history years). We estimated age-sex standardised (12-month period) both conditions 2000– 2019, overall, by sex, age group, region. Results: Standardised from lower than those GOLD until 2014, after which similar. Both showed recent declines LBP: began earlier (after 2012– 2014) 2014– 2015). 2011) 2003) higher different trends: stable or increasing Aurum, decreasing GOLD. Stratified suggested consistently occurrence among women, older groups, living north England. Conclusion: Comparative analyses produced conflicting trends common musculoskeletal conditions. appeared more consistent external sources may be useful monitoring population healthcare demand, but they remain sensitive to analytic decisions data quality. Keywords: musculoskeletal, records, epidemiologic methods, osteoarthritis, pain, primary care