ArticleSaudi journal of medicine & medical sciences
Acute Back Pain: A Survey of Primary Health Care Physicians' Awareness and Knowledge of "Red Flag" Signs.
Article in Saudi journal of medicine & medical sciences. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Back pain and spinal conditions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Unveiling public awareness.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2026Article
- Knowledge of Back Pain and Spinal Disorders Among the General Population in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.Cureus · 2024Article
- Management of Low Back Pain in Primary Health-Care Settings: Physician's Awareness and Practices Based on Red Flags.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2022Article
- Management of Low back pain in Saudi Arabia healthcare system. A Qualitative Study.Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financingArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe failure to detect "red flag" signs in patients presenting with acute low back pain can adversely affect the outcome of management. This can seriously affect the quality of life and productivity of the patient.
objectiveThe present questionnaire-based study was performed to assess the knowledge and awareness of red flag signs among primary health care physicians managing patients with acute back pain in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND
methodsThe study sample size was comprised of 80 subjects. The level of knowledge was assessed by means of a new structured self-administered questionnaire. The design of this questionnaire was based on the Agency for Health Care Research and Policy (AHCRP) guidelines for detection of red flag signs. Physicians were asked about red flag signs that indicate the presence of tumor, infection, spinal fracture, or cauda equina syndrome.
resultsSixty-eight (85% of total) physicians were aware of red flag signs. Of the 68 physicians who were aware of the red flag signs, 58 (72%) were aware of neurological deficit, 36 (45% of total) were aware of extremes of age (<10 years and >50 years), and 33 (41% of total) were aware of and routinely inquired about the history of spinal trauma, whereas only 24 (30% of total) were aware of and inquired about constitutional symptoms in their patients with acute back pain.
conclusionAlthough low back pain is extremely common, knowledge and awareness of red flag signs of primary health care physicians managing patients with acute back pain in Riyadh appear to be inadequate. This indicates a lack of adherence to the international guidelines. Specific educational programs should target these deficiencies and increase awareness.
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