Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41384355›Full record

ArticleSpine2026

An Unsupervised Learning Approach for Multimodal Low Back Pain Stratification.

Narasimharao Kowlagi, Eveliina Heikkala, Simo Saarakkala, Jaro Karppinen, Aleksei Tiulpin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Spine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Narasimharao KowlagiResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu.
Eveliina HeikkalaResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu.
Simo SaarakkalaResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu.
Jaro KarppinenResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu.
Aleksei TiulpinResearch Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

STUDY

designCross-sectional study.

objectiveThis study proposes a novel stratification framework for individuals with low back pain (LBP). The method integrates Northern Finland Birth Cohort data comprising imaging biomarkers from deep learning (DL)-based analysis of lumbar spine MRI with the data on smoking status, demographics (sex and BMI), self-reported data from Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ) short and the STarT Back Tool (SBT). Furthermore, the utility of this stratified approach was validated by demonstrating a superior net benefit compared with "treat-all" strategy.

backgroundCurrent risk stratification for individuals with LBP relies on ÖMPSQ short and SBT among others. While these tools are invaluable for capturing psychosocial characteristics predictive of future disability and functional outcomes, LBP's multifactorial nature necessitates a more comprehensive framework for effective risk stratification. MATERIALS AND

methodsA method for multimodal unsupervised patient stratification has been developed that allows for the integration of imaging biomarkers of disc degeneration (DD) and facet tropism (FT), extracted using DL models, with nonimaging data. The framework utilized robust K-Means clustering to stratify individuals. Clusters were characterized using LBP frequency and bothersomeness, and their robustness was validated with a multi-class logistic regression model. Net benefit was assessed through decision curve analysis.

resultsThree distinct subgroups were characterized by LBP frequency and bothersomeness. One subgroup was dominated by psychosocial characteristics (psychosocial risk P  < 0.05), the second by physical degenerative changes (DD P  < 0.05), and the third by a mix of both. Predictive models for cluster assignment were robust, achieving high mean accuracies (SBT-based: 0.89; ÖMPSQ-short-based: 0.87). The net benefit is superior throughout a range of threshold probabilities compared with a "treat-all" strategy.

conclusionA novel framework was developed that integrates multimodal data to identify distinct subgroups differentiated by their physical and psychosocial characteristics in a population-based cohort, demonstrating potential for advancing personalized care.

Indexed as

Low Back PainUnsupervised Machine LearningAdultCohort StudiesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleFinlandHumansIntervertebral Disc DegenerationLumbar VertebraeMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle Ageddeep learninglow back painMRI biomarkersÖrebropatient stratificationSTarTBackunsupervised learning

Identifiers

PMID41384355
PMCPMC13011946

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.