Table 4

Studies that provided evidence significant association between potentially generic prognostic factors and poor outcomes.

Prognostic factorsSignificant associationnNeck/shoulder/arm (n 11)Spinal/back (n 41)Hip (n 3)Knee (n 3)General musculoskeletal (n 7)
Widespread pain, presentYes2014, 35, 36, 44, 48, 50, 6915, 18, 21, 24, 33, 49, 52, 10−6325, 57, 72, 78
No6−51, 53, 61, 68−6458
Disability, highYes1812, 35, 362, 3, 9, 13, 15, 20, 24, 31, 33, 39
10, 22		284226
No2−45, 74−−−
Somatisation, presentYes1235, 44, 4815, 34, 38, 61, 70, 77, 10−4222
No26967−−−
Pain intensity, highYes2714, 35, 36, 44, 488, 13, 15, 16, 24, 33, 34, 37, 39, 41, 45, 49, 53, 56, 65, 73, 10, 6828427, 26
No1250, 699, 18, 31, 61, 67, 74, 606458, 78
Pain duration, longYes3112, 14, 35, 36, 44, 50, 692, 3, 8, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 31, 33, 39, 45, 49, 56, 61, 66, 77, 1, 10, 6028, 4042−
No1547, 48, 719, 20, 24, 38, 53, 65, 67, 70, 22, 68−6357
Depression/anxiety, highYes17−6, 13, 15, 19, 34, 38, 49, 56, 73, 74, 10, 32−−7, 23, 25, 58, 78
No104824, 60, 65, 66, 67, 70, 77, 68−64−
Previous episodes, presentYes1612, 35, 36, 44, 753, 9, 19, 21, 34, 41, 49, 53, 61−4257
No1147, 50, 7120, 31, 38, 45, 51, 67, 68−−7
Coping strategies, poorYes1235, 36, 7115, 49, 52, 53, 10, 32, 43−−7, 78
No66961, 77, 60, 68−−58
Movement restriction, presentYes61221, 29, 7028−58
No4−9, 20, 60−−78
Level of education, lowYes4−49, 61−6357
No1169, 7151, 56, 65, 66, 67, 68−6458, 78
Use of pain medicationYes271−−−57
No65051, 56, 66, 6746−−
Age, olderYes1636, 358, 21, 33, 38, 41, 45, 56, 66, 67−42, 6325, 58, 78
No2644, 48, 69, 71, 629, 18, 20, 24, 31, 49, 51, 53, 61, 65, 70, 77, 1, 22, 60, 62, 6840, 46647, 57
Gender, femaleYes550, 7549, 66, 77−−−
No1569, 7151, 53, 61, 65, 67, 70, 68, 604663, 6457, 58
Social support, poorYes235−−42−
No2−74−−78
Heavy lifting, presentYes16262−−−
No0−−−−−

  • *Citations of included studies are presented in online supplementary appendix 3.

  • Studies grouped according to pain site. High-quality studies are shown in bold.*