Simula？？o em lombalgia: diagnóstico e prevalência

objective: to carry out a literature review for the diagnosis of low back pain simulation in patients claiming disability benefit from the social security. methods: 100 patients with reported low back pain were evaluated. thesewere divided in two groups of 50 each; in group i, the patients requested a medical report for the purpose of obtaining disability benefit; in group ii the patients were interested only in receiving treatment. simulators were considered as patients who presented at least two positive signs of the three signs assessed: low back pain on axial cranial compression,low back pain on rotation of the pelvis, and difference in straight leg raising in the supine and sitting positions. results: in group i the percentage of simulators was 72%, in the group ii, 18%. there was no significant difference in relation to age or sex. discussion: although there are several signs and symptoms to evaluate simulation, most of the doctors ignored them. however, without them, it is difficult to make a correct evaluation of patients with reported low back pain, thereby contributing to overburdeningthe socialsecurity system. conclusion: there is a high incidence of simulators among patients who request medical reports in order to obtain disability benefits. level of evidence: level ii, prospective comparative study.