Red Flags of Downie et al for Malignancy or Fracture As the Cause of Low Back Pain

Red flags for metastatic cancer:

(1) history of malignancy (probability 33% if history present, 0.1% if absent)

Red flags for vertebral fracture:

(1) prolonged use of a corticosteroid

(2) contusion or abrasion in the Emergency Department

(3) combination with 3 or 4 of the following:

(3a) female gender

(3b) age > 70 years

(3c) severe trauma

(3d) prolonged use of corticosteroids

An assumption is that this relates to low back pain of recent onset or with a recent change in character.