Table 1 Description of the two cohorts and outcome data.
Description of the two cohorts | Needs-based MRI (169) | % | Routine MRI (208) | % | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Referred to MRI | 72 | 43 | 208 | 100 | |
Age (years) | |||||
Median | 48 | - | 48 | - | 0.88* |
Quartiles 25-75 | 39-56 | - | 37-58 | - | - |
Sex | |||||
Men | 83 | 49 | 110 | 53 | - |
Women | 86 | 51 | 98 | 47 | - |
Back pain (0-10) | |||||
Median | 5 | - | 5 | - | 0.14* |
Quartiles 25-75 | 4-7 | - | 4-7 | - | - |
Leg pain (0-10) | |||||
Median | 5 | - | 5 | - | 0.95* |
Quartiles 25-75 | 2-7 | - | 2-7 | - | - |
Disability (%) | |||||
Median | - | 50 | - | 54.5 | 0.16* |
Quartiles 25-75 | - | 37-68 | - | 42-69 | - |
Duration of symptoms (months) | |||||
Median | 4 | - | 5 | - | 0.04* |
Quartiles 25-75 | 3-6 | - | 3-7 | - | - |
Outcome | Needs-based MRI | % | Routine MRI | % | p-value |
Referred to surgery | 15 | 9 | 17 | 8 | 0.81* |
Duration at clinic (days) | |||||
Median | 160 | - | 115 | - | 0.0001* |
Quartiles 25-75 | 106-122 | - | 75-161 | - | - |
Visits at clinic (number) | |||||
Median | 4 | - | 3 | - | 0.003* |
Quartiles 25-75 | 2-7 | - | 2-5 | - | - |