Neck pain and disability: A cross-sectional survey of the demographic and clinical characteristics of neck pain seen in a rheumatology clinic

This hospital-based cross-sectional cohort study examines the clinical and demographic features of neck pain, disability (using the Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire) and relationships to handicap in employment. Of 173 consecutive referrals to a rheumatology clinic with neck pain, 70% had neck/arm pain without neurological involvement, 13% other conditions, 11% nerve involvement and 5% other spinal pain. 141 patients (mean age 50 years) had mechanical or degenerative neck pain, of which 13% was probably work-related and 13% was trauma-related. 44 had taken sickness absence for an average of 30 weeks. Comorbidities were frequent (lumbar pain 51%). Those in work were significantly less disabled than those not working (p = 0.001) and those off sick (p < 0.01). Those reporting sleep disturbance, tearfulness and crying were significantly more disabled (p = 0.0001) than those who did not. Neck pain in secondary care is complicated by physical and emotional comorbidities. Comprehensive management requires a biopsychosocial model of care

Schwinger--Dyson BRST symmetry and the Batalin--Vilkovisky Lagrangian Quantisation of Gauge Theories with Open or Reducible Gauge Algebras

In this short note we extend the results of Alfaro and Damgaard on the origin of antifields to theories with a gauge algebra that is open or reducible.Comment: 10p, CERN-TH-6858/93, KUL-TF-93/1

Hip dysplasia research at Ghent University: towards a new approach to assess hip quality?

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