| Study | Hansson and Hansson 200012* | Van der Giezen et al 200013 |
| Study population | Employees sicklisted due to cLBP in six countries (n = 2752; 39–74% male†; mean age 39–49 years†) | Employees sicklisted due to cLBP (n = 328; 59% male; mean age 39 years) |
| Location of study | Denmark, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, Sweden, United States | Netherlands |
| Source of data on prognostic factors | Interviews and questionnaires | Interviews and questionnaires |
| Length of work disability at start of study | 3 months | 3–4 months |
| Definition of successful RTW | Return to work (not specified) | Resumption of old job or start of new job, on full- or part-time basis |
| Follow-up | 1 year | 1 year |
| Prognostic factors | Lower age | Lower age (per 10 years) |
| Male | ||
| No treatment for low back pain before sick-listing | ||
| Surgery in the first year of sick-listing | ||
| Being a breadwinner | ||
| Less pain | ||
| Better general health | ||
| More job satisfaction | ||
| Lower physical demands at work | ||
| Lower psychological demands at work | ||
| Higher decision latitude at work |
* Prognostic factors depended on location of study; † depended on location of study.