This study investigates the clinical course of and prognostic factors for quality of life (Short Form 36
items Health survey (SF-36)) and global perceived effect (GPE) in patients treated for chronic nonspecific
low back pain at 5 and 12-months follow-up. Data from a prospective cohort (n ¼ 1760) of a
rehabilitation center were used, where patients followed a 2-months cognitive behavior treatment. The
outcome ‘improvement in quality of life (SF-36)’ was defined as a 10% increase in score on the SF-36 at
follow-up compared with baseline. On the GPE scale, patients who indicated to be ‘much improved’ were
coded as ‘clinically improved’. Multivariable logistic regression analysis included 23 baseline characteristics.
At 5-months follow-up, scores on the SF-36 Mental Component Scale (SF-36; MCS) and the
Physical Component Scale (SF-36; PCS) had increased from 46.6 (SD 10.3) to 50.4 (SD 9.8) and from 31.9
(SD 7.1) to 46.6 (SD 10.3), respectively. At 5-months follow-up, 53.0% of the patients reported clinical
improvement (GPE) which increased to 60.3% at 12-months follow-up. The 10% improvement in quality
of life (SF-36 MCS) at 5-months follow-up was associated with patient characteristics and psychological
factors. At 5-months follow-up, the 10% improvement in quality of life (SF-36 PCS) and GPE was associated
with patient characteristics, physical examination, work-related factors and psychological factors;
for GPE, an association was also found with clinical status. At 12-months follow-up GPE was associated
with patient characteristics, clinical status, physical examination and work-related factors. The next
phase in this prognostic research is external validation of these results.