Table 6.
Comparability of CareTrack findings and methodological features with the ANHS and the German National Survey
| CareTrack Medical Records | CareTrack Survey | National Health Survey [10] | German Health Survey [8] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methods | Based on self-report | N | Y | Y | Y |
| Country | Australia | Australia | Australia | Germany | |
| Year data collected | 2011 | 2011 | 2016 | 1997–1999 | |
| Inclusion criteria (LBP) | Treated for condition in 2009–10 | Condition lasted less than 6 months (acute) | Lifetime prevalence and had condition for more than 6 months (chronic) | Suffered from LBP in past 7-days – 7 day prevalence | |
| Inclusion criteria (other) | Treated for condition in 2009–10 | Treated for condition in 2009–10 | Lifetime prevalence and had condition for more than 6 months (chronic) | Ever been diagnosed - lifetime prevalence | |
| No. of comorbid conditions included | 17 | 17 | 8 | 31 | |
| Results | LBP only | 38% | 19% | 35% | 8% |
| LBP plus 1 condition | 20% | 17% | 30% | 13% | |
| LBP plus 2 or more conditions | 42% | 64% | 35% | 77% | |
| Proportion with comorbidities | 62% | 81% | 65% | 92% | |
| Highest comorbid condition | Hypertension (28.7%) | Hypertension (40.9%) | Osteoarthritis (31.4%) | Osteoarthritis (50%) | |
| 2nd highest | Osteoarthritis (25.6%) | Hyperlipidaemia (40.2%) | Circulatory system disease (30.9%) | Gastritis (30%) | |
| 3rd highest | Hyperlipidaemia (15.9%) | Osteoarthritis (30.5%) | Mental and Behavioural disorder (29.8%) | Hypertension (26%) | |
Legend: 10 = Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia’s health 2016. Australia’s Health Series No 15. Catalogue No AUS 199. AIHW. Canberra; 2016. 8 = Schneider S, Mohnen SM, Schiltenwolf M, Rau C. Comorbidity of low back pain: Representative outcomes of a national health study in the Federal Republic of Germany. European Journal of Pain. 2007;11(4):387–97