Frequency, combinations and clinical relevance of outpatient low back pain diagnoses: analysis of claims data in a population-based cohort study

The results underline the high epidemiologic relevance of LBP. Using the German guideline on specific LBP as a reference, we categorized most LBP diagnoses as specific, contrary to common international assumptions. Most patients with LBP received multiple ICD-10 codes, complicating the distinction between non-specific and specific LBP based on claims data. Health care analyses on LBP require transparent reporting of the ICD codes used, along with a detailed discussion of the data's limitations.