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Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Journal article
Revista Pesquisa Em Fisioterapia · August 18, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This single-centre cross-sectional study of 133 primary care patients in Kosovo found that age, clinical justification (presence of red flags), and radiography frequency were independent predictors of guideline adherence in low back pain management, measured on a 4-point adherence score. The study reports no significant age differences in medication prescribing patterns overall. The findings are observational and do not establish whether improving adherence improves patient outcomes.
Cross-sectional observational study. 133 consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) with non-traumatic low back pain at a Primary Care Center in Kosovo; excluded pregnancy-related LBP, cognitive impairment, or red flags (trauma, cancer history, etc.).. n = 133. Single Primary Care Center in Kosovo.
No age-group differences in medication prescribing (χ² = 1.813, p = 0.612) Radiography rate 11/133 patients (8%) Age predicted adherence (OR = 1.025, p = 0.037)
Safety was not reported in the material analysed. Check the source before drawing any conclusion about harm.
The findings suggest that clinical recognition of red flags and patient age are associated with better guideline adherence in primary care LBP management. However, as an observational single-centre study, the results should not be used to change practice without confirmation in larger, multi-centre cohorts and demonstration of impact on patient outcomes.
Single-centre cross-sectional study with modest sample size (n=133) and surrogate endpoint (guideline adherence score), reporting associations rather than causal effects or clinical outcomes.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
The findings suggest that clinical recognition of red flags and patient age are associated with better guideline adherence in primary care LBP management. However, as an observational single-centre study, the results should not be used to change practice without confirmation in larger, multi-centre cohorts and demonstration of impact on patient outcomes.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
BACKGROUND: Managing low back pain (LBP) in primary care is challenging, with variations in clinician practices. Patient age may influence prescribing, diagnostic imaging, and guideline adherence. This cross-sectional study examines associations between age and medication prescribing or radiography use and identifies predictors of adherence to LBP guidelines in Kosovo's primary care. METHODS: We analyzed data from 133 adult patients (≥18 years) with non-traumatic LBP at Primary Care Center (Jan.-June 2025). Eligibility: consecutive patients providing informed consent, excluding pregnancy-related LBP, cognitive impairment, or red flags (e.g., trauma, cancer). Instruments: standardized questionnaire on demographics, medication type (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, opioids, none), radiography use (past 12 months), and clinical justification (e.g., red flags); 4-point adherence score (0 = non-adherent to 3 = ideal). Chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and ordinal logistic regression were applied using SPSS v28. RESULTS: No age-group differences in medication (χ² = 1.813, p = 0.612). Radiography rate: 11 (8%). Adherence predictors: age (OR = 1.025, p = 0.037), clinical justification (red flags OR = 3.320, p = 0.008), radiography frequency (OR = 0.861, p = 0.061) (model: χ² = 111.742, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Age, clinical justification, and radiography frequency predict moderate LBP guideline adherence. Targeted training on red flags and non-pharmacological therapies could enhance compliance and reduce low-value care in resource-limited settings.
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