Table 2 Observed outcomes stratified for those receiving or not receiving an imaging referral

Primary outcomes:

Back pain 3 months; N = 1437 (Mean, SD)

2.6 (2.3)

2.0 (2.2)

RMDQ 3 months; N = 1286 (Mean, SD)

23.1 (23.0)

15.5 (21.7)

Secondary outcomes

Back pain 2 weeks; N = 1501 (Mean, SD)

4.2 (2.3)

3.4 (2.2)

RMDQ 2 weeks; N = 1511 (Mean, SD)

35.9 (26.3)

25.2 (24.2)

Back pain 1 year; N = 1368 (Mean, SD)

2.7 (2.6)

2.0 (2.3)

RMDQ 1 year; N = 1114 (Mean, SD)

22.3 (22.5)

16.6 (21.4)

Global perceived effect (N)

375

1093

 Much better (N, %)

110 (29.3%)

475 (43.5%)

 Better (N, %)

123 (32.8%)

355 (32.5%)

 A little better (N, %)

73 (19.5%)

151 (13.8%)

 Almost the same (N, %)

55 (14.7%)

85 (7.8%)

 A little worse (N, %)

6 (1.6%)

13 (1.2%)

 Worse (N, %)

4 (1.1%)

11 (1.0%)

 Much worse (N, %)

4 (1.1%)

3 (0.3%)

Satisfaction with care (N)

382

1099

 To a great extent (N, %)

107 (28.0%)

357 (32.5%)

 Greatly (N, %)

182 (47.6%)

525 (47.8%)

 Somewhat (N, %)

66 (17.3%)

173 (15.7%)

 To a small extent (N, %)

16 (4.2%)

28 (2.5%)

 Not at all (N, %)

4 (1.0%)

9 (0.8%)

 Do not know (N, %)

7 (1.8%)

7 (0.6%)