Table 2

Baseline physical (self-reported) and MRI characteristics of participants

Physical Characteristics (Denominatora) n = 609
Pain and function
 RMDQ disability score (0–23) (609), mean (SD)12.7 (5.7)
 Back pain intensity (609), mean (SD)5.6 (2.2)
 Leg pain intensity (608), mean (SD)5.2 (2.4)
 Pain below knee (584)394 (67.5)
 Leg pain worse than back pain (609)280 (46.0)
 Sleep disturbance due to back/leg painb(609)428 (70.3)
First ever episode of back/leg pain (609)58 (9.5)
Duration of symptoms
 Back pain current episode (607)
  Less than 6 weeks218 (35.9)
  6–12 weeks126 (20.8)
   >3 months263 (43.3)
 Leg pain current episode (583)
  Less than 6 weeks251 (43.1)
  6–12 weeks120 (20.6)
   >3 months212 (36.4)
Start Back prognostic risk score (589)
  Low Risk82 (13.9)
  Medium Risk276 (46.9)
  High Risk231 (39.2)
Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (SBI),
mean (SD)
 Leg pain (583)4.3 (1.5)
 Numbness or tingling in leg, foot or groin (583)3.2 (2.1)
 Weakness in leg or foot (582)2.6 (2.1)
 Back or leg pain while sitting4.1 (1.6)
Composite score (582) 14.2 (5.4)
 S-LANSS; neuropathic pain score (>12) (607)293 (48.1)
Imaging(553)
 Positive MRI findings for nerve root compression297 (53.7)
All figures are frequencies (percentages) unless stated otherwise as mean (SD)

aDenominator varies for some participants due to missing data or not applicable case

bInformation on back and/or leg pain associated sleep disturbance was collected as part of the clinical assessment (yes/no category)