A Comparison of Back Pain Functional Scale With Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form 36-Health Survey.

STUDY DESIGN: A comparison study of Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS) with Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Short Form 36-Health Survey (SF-36).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation of BPFS with RMQ, ODI, and SF-36.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The primary goal in the treatment of patients with low back pain is to improve the patients' levels of activities and participation. Many questionnaires focusing on function have been developed in patients with low back pain. BPFS is one of these questionnaires. No studies have investigated the correlation of BPFS with ODI and SF-36.

METHODS: This study was conducted with 120 patients receiving outpatient and inpatient treatment in physiotherapy and rehabilitation units of a state hospital. BPFS, RMQ, ODI, and SF-36 questionnaires were used to assess the disability in low back pain. Spearman and Pearson Correlation were used to compare the data obtained in the study.

RESULTS: There was a good correlation among the 5 functional outcome measures (correlation r = -0.693 for BPFS/RMQ, r = -0.794 for BPFS/ODI, r = 0.697 for BPFS/SF-36 Physical function and r = 0.540 for BPFS/SF-36 Pain).

CONCLUSION: BPFS demonstrated good correlation with RMQ, ODI, SF-36 physical function, and SF-36 pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.