Does Epidural During Labour Lead To Chronic Low Backpain? A Malaysian Retrospective Study

@#Introduction: The question as to whether epidural analgesia during labour can cause chronic low backpain has become a concern lately but this association has not been tested locally and remains controversial. This retrospective study aimed to ascertain the relationship between labour epidural analgesia and development of subsequent chronic low backpain. Methods: We contacted 200 primiparous women who had delivered by normal vaginal delivery via telephone at six months after delivery. While 100 of them had previously received epidural analgesia for labour, the other 100 had not. The women had to quantify their backpain by yes/no responses, numeric rating score, and impairment of daily function. Both the epidural and the non-epidural groups were compared using independent t-test and Chi-squared test while logistic regression was used to control for confounding factors. Results: The two groups had similar baseline characteristics except for body mass index, employment status and labour duration. The women who received epidural analgesia had significantly higher prevalence of low backpain at six months after delivery than those who had not (28% versus 9%, P = 0.001). However, the two groups did not show any difference in terms of numeric rating score or level of impairment of daily function. The low back pain at six months (epidural versus non-epidural) had an adjusted odds ratio of 8.1 (95% confidence interval 2.7 to 24.0, P <0.001). Conclusion: While epidural analgesia during labour was shown to be associated with chronic low back pain, this association may not be causal, suggesting the need for a randomized-controlled study in this area.

Prevalência e fatores associados a problema crônico de coluna em mulheres em idade fértil / Prevalence and factors associated with chronic back problem in women of childbearing age

Resumo No Brasil, dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) estimaram 27,0 milhões de pessoas (18,5%) que referiram Problema Crônico de Coluna (PCC), afetando mais mulheres que homens. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de identificar, entre as mulheres em idade fértil, os fatores associados ao PCC. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com dados da PNS, em que a variável dependente foi a prevalência de PCC, enquanto que os fatores associados incluíram itens sociodemográficos, hábitos de vida, histórico reprodutivo, estado nutricional, diagnóstico de depressão e percepção de saúde. Foram avaliadas 22.621 mulheres com idade entre 18 e 49 anos e, destas, 14,8% referiram ter PCC. Os fatores de risco estudados foram: aumento da faixa etária; viver com cônjuge/companheiro; multiparidade; ser tabagista; sobrepeso ou obesidade, ter Circunferência da Cintura (CC) acima de 80cm e índice Circunferência/Estatura (C/E) acima de 0,5; autopercepção de saúde negativa; e diagnóstico de depressão. O único fator de proteção encontrado foi escolaridade. As associações observadas concluem que idade, viver com cônjuge/companheiro, tabagismo, multiparidade, sobrepeso e obesidade, risco aumentado para doenças cardiovasculares, diagnóstico de depressão e autopercepção de saúde negativa estão associados ao desenvolvimento de PCC em mulheres de idade fértil.

Abstract Chronic Back Problem (CBP) is a public health concern. In Brazil, data from the National Health Survey (PNS) estimated 27.0 million people (18.5%) who reported CBP, affecting more women than men. This study aims to identify the factors associated with CBP among women of childbearing age. It is a cross-sectional study carried out with data from the PNS, where the dependent variable was the prevalence of CBP, and associated factors included socio-demographic items, life habits, reproductive history, nutritional status, diagnosis of depression and health perception. A total of 22,621 women aged 18 to 49 years were interviewed. Of these, 14.8% reported having CBP. The risk factors studied were: increased age; living with spouse; multiparity; smoking; overweight or obese, having Waist Circumference (WC) above 80cm and Circumference/Height (C/E) index above 0.5; negative self-perception of health; and depression. The only protective factor associated with CBP risk reduction was education level. We conclude that age, living with a spouse/partner, smoking, multiparity, being overweight or obese, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, depression and negative self-perceived health are associated with the development of CBP in women of childbearing age.

"A Systematic Review On Identifying Associated Factors In Deciding Work- Relatedness Of Chronic Back Pain Among Employee "

@#Chronic low back pain is a common and preventable complain amongworkers. Large amount of financial and benefit cost has been spent by the developed countries to prevent, treat and rehabilitate a large number of workers that are exposed to hazards attributing to low back pain. Efforts on primary prevention of low back pain has been challenging due to difficulties in affirming work-relatedness of chronic back pain among workers. As such, efforts have to be focused on the existing literatures to propose acceptable variables to define work-relatedness specific to occupational low back pain. Evidences suggest twisting, frequent manual lifting of objects, duration of daily exposure, coping mechanism towards the pain, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and physical activity are associated with occupational back pain. However, further research efforts are needed to establish stronger evidence and improve the occupational safety and health of our workers that are exposed to all these hazards throughout the day on a daily basis.

Evaluación del catastrofismo en pacientes con lumbalgia crónica en la unidad de dolor de un hospital universitario / Evaluation of pain catastrophizing in chronic back pain patientsof a university hospital pain unit

El catastrofismo es la percepción mental, negativa y exagerada, respecto a la experiencia del dolor, tanto real como anticipada. Comprende tres dimensiones: rumiación, magnificación y desesperanza. Sus consecuencias son: dolor más intenso, mayor consumo de analgésicos, disminución de las actividades diarias, incapacidad laboral, mayor sensibilidad al dolor, interferencia en el uso de estrategias de afrontamiento y peor pronóstico general. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el nivel de catastrofismo ante el dolor en pacientes con lumbalgia crónica que consultan en nuestro hospital universitario, utilizando la escala de catastrofismo del dolor en su versión en español. La muestra fue de 69 pacientes, se encontró una correlación lineal positiva entre nivel total de catastrofismo y sus tres dimensiones con la intensidad del dolor y la interferencia que éste produce sobre las actividades diarias, medidas a través del inventario abreviado del dolor. Los niveles de catastrofismo encontrados fueron altos, mayores a 30, la intensidad del dolor y su interferencia fueron elevados (mayor de 6). Este es el primer estudio de evaluación del catastrofismo en pacientes con dolor crónico en nuestro país. Los niveles de catastrofismo encontrados obligan a ofrecer en nuestra unidad medidas de intervención que logren reducirlo, de modo de lograr mejores resultados de los tratamientos farmacológicos o intervencionistas que se indican en los pacientes con lumbalgia crónica.

Pain catastrophizing is a cognitive state characterized by a negative and exaggerated perception about actual or anticipating pain. It is conformed for three factors: rumiation, magnification and helplessness. Its consequences in pain perception are increase in pain intensity and analgesic consumption, interference in daily and labor activities, hiperalgesia, interference in coping strategies and general poor clinical prognosis of pain states. The aim of this study was to evaluate pain catastrophizing in chronic back pain outpatients in a university hospital pain unit, utilizing the spanish version of the pain catastrophizing scale. Sixty-nine patients with chronic back pain with or without lumbosacral radicular pain were included. A positive lineal correlation between total catastrophism and its three factors with pain intensity and pain daily activities interference. Pain intensity and interference evaluated by the brief pain Inventory were high (more than 6) and also was the total catastrophism (more than 30). This is the first study in our country about pain catastrophizing in chronic pain patients. The high levels of catastrophism observed in this study must be treated with specific psychological interventions, in order to reduce them in such a way that pharmacological and interventional pain treatments results could be improved.

The Effects of Moxibustion on Chronic Back Pain and Activities of Daily Living in Aged / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was attempted in order to verify the effects of moxibustion on aged back pain and activities of daily living. METHODS: A research design is quasi-experiment with pre-post test design in nonequivalent control group. As for data collection and experimental treatment, it accidentally sampled totally 50 people with 24 people for the experimental group and 26 people for the control group who appeal for chronic back pain aged over 60 who visited 4 senior centers where are located in N city from November 7, 2012 to December 3, 2012. Experimental treatment was carried out moxibustion totally 12 times by 3 times for 4 weeks in the experimental group. Data analysis was made by using SPSS program. As an analytical technique, the experimental group and the control group were analyzed the homogeneity verification with t-test, Fisher's exact test and chi2 test and the hypothesis verification with t-test. RESULTS: The back pain level was reduced in the experimental group than the control group. The disability of daily living activities was reduced in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion was considered to be likely useful therapeutic method for effects of chronic back pain and disability of daily living activities in aged.

Programa de rehabilitación integral en pacientes con dolor cronico de espalda: un estudio de caso / Rehabilitation program in patients with chronic back pain: a case study

La utilización de estrategias combinadas para el manejo de pacientes con dolor crónico, ha demos-trado eficacia en su recuperación. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo mostrar la aplicación de abor-dajes psicológicos y fisioterapéuticos en la rehabilitación de un paciente masculino de 62 años con dolor crónico de espalda. Las estrategias fisioterapéuticas aplicadas se basaron en la aplicación de técnicas Tens, Ultrasonido, ejercicios de balonterapia, ejercicios isométricos e isotónicos, medios físicos, técnica de Mckenzy y ejercicios de cadenas cinética, las cuales se suministraron con una duración de 1 hora por cada sesión diaria, durante un periodo de 15 días y el efecto del tratamien-to aplicado se evaluó mediante la valoración de problemas osteomusculares (OM). El tratamiento psicológico de acompañamiento se basó en un entrenamiento cognitivo conductual (ECC) sumi-nistrado con una periodicidad semanal; el nivel de mejora de vida del paciente fue medido con la escala de ansiedad Hamilton, y el cuestionario de estrategias de afrontamiento (CIQ) y Euro-gol. Las valoraciones fisioterapéuticas se aplicaron antes, durante y después del tratamiento, mientras que las valoraciones psicológicas se aplicaron antes y después, y demostraron una rehabilitación integral eficiente; disminuyendo el dolor crónico de espalda, aumentando la movilidad y mejoran-do la calidad de vida al disminuir los índices de dolor a la palpación y al movimiento, medida en escala numérica de Borg. Igualmente se observó disminución en el índice de discapacidad lumbar de Oswestry, disminución en los niveles de ansiedad y recuperación total del paciente lo que de-muestra que la rehabilitación integral del paciente fue eficaz.

The use of combined strategies for the management of patients with chronic pain has shown effectiveness in recovery, so this work shows the application of psychological approaches and physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of a 62 year old male patient with chronic back pain. The applied physiotherapy strategies were based on the application of techniques such as Tens, Ul-trasound, balloon-therapy exercises, isometric and isotonic exercises, physical mediums, the McKenzy technique and kinetic chain exercises, which were provided as one hour long daily session, for a period of 15 days and the effect of the applied treatment was evaluated by assessing musculoskeletal problems (OM). The accompanying psychological treatment was based on a cognitive behavioral training (ECC) that was performed weekly; the level of life improvement of the patients was measured with the Hamilton anxiety scale, the coping strategies questionnaire (CIQ) and Euro-gol. The physiotherapy assessments were applied before, during and after the treatment, while psychological assessments were applied before and after and showed an efficient complete rehabilitation, reducing chronic back pain, increasing mobility and improving quality of life by reducing the indexes of tenderness to pain and movement, with the Borg numerical scale. Furthermore, it was observed that the lumbar disability index of Oswestry also decreased, as well as the anxiety levels and there was a total patient recovery demonstrating that comprehen-sive patient rehabilitation was effective.

Eficacia del bloqueo facetario en pacientes con síndrome facetario lumbar / Efficacy of facet block in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome

El bloqueo facetario es un procedimiento usado en aquellos pacientes con artrosis facetaria en los cuales han fallado los múltiples tratamientos médicos. En nuestro país se desconocen estudios o estadísticas que demuestren su efectividad, por lo que se consideró pertinente demostrarlo. Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo de una cohorte de pacientes intervenidos en el período comprendido entre enero de 2005 y diciembre de 2009 en la Clínica CES. Se recolectó información de las historias clínicas mediante un formulario diseñado para tal fin; además se relacionó la existencia de mejoría del paciente posterior a la intervención con edad, sexo, ocupación, tiempo de evolución, síntomas motores y sensitivos previos y enfermedades asociadas. La población fue de 232 pacientes entre 21 y 92 años, con una edad promedio de 56,9 (± 14,6) años, con un tiempo de evolución del dolor lumbar de 2 años en el 40% de la población estudiada. La resonancia magnética fue el estudio más utilizado previo al procedimiento en 42,2% de los pacientes, la tomografía en 38,31% y los rayos X en 7,46%. El procedimiento fue eficaz en el 78% de los pacientes. En conclusión, el bloqueo facetario es un método terapéutico, ya que se vio mejoría de la sintomatología en la mayoría de los pacientes estudiados. Esto es coherente con otros estudios realizados, donde también se ha evidenciado disminución de las limitaciones físicas y funcionales de los pacientes. Además, es un procedimiento diagnóstico ya que la mejoría con esta técnica indica que la patología sí era facetaria.

Facet block is a procedure used in patients with facet arthrosis in which several other medical techniques have failed. In our country, there is no evidence or studies regarding its efficacy, thus the interest in its demonstration. A retrospective observational cohort study was carried out on patients intervened between January 2005 and December 2009 at Clínica CES. Data was collected from the patient's clinical records by means of a survey designed for that purpose. Also, positive clinical outcomes were correlated to age, gender, occupation, evolution time, motor and sensitive symptoms as well as comorbidities. The sample included 232 patients between the ages of 21 and 92, with an average age of 56.9 (± 14.6) years, and a lumbar pain evolution time of 2 years in 40% of the individuals in the sample. The most commonly used imaging test before the procedure was magnetic resonance imaging in 42.2% of patients, computed tomography scan was used in 38.31% and X-rays in 7.46%. The procedure was effective in 78% of patients. In sum, facet block is a therapeutic method, given that most patients improved after its completion. These findings are consistent with other studies that have showed a decrease in physical and functional limitations of the patients. Besides, improvement of the patient's state confirms a lumbar facet syndrome, so it is a diagnostic procedure as well.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Chronic Back Pain Patients

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional musculoskeletal pain disorder that is caused by myofascial trigger points. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients, as well as to identify risk factors and the outcome of this disorder. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study involving 126 patients who attended the Pain Management Unit for chronic back pain between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2009. Data examined included demographic features of patients, duration of back pain, muscle(s) involved, primary diagnosis, treatment modality and response to treatment. RESULTS: The prevalence of MPS among chronic back pain patients was 63.5% (n = 80). Secondary MPS was more common than primary MPS, making up 81.3% of the total MPS. There was an association between female gender and risk of developing MPS (chi2 = 5.38, P = 0.02, O.R. = 2.4). Occupation, body mass index and duration of back pain were not significantly associated with MPS occurrence. Repeated measures analysis showed significant changes (P < 0.001) in Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and Modified Oswestry Disability Score (MODS) with standard management during three consecutive visits at six-month intervals. CONCLUSIONS: MPS prevalence among chronic back pain patients was significantly high, with female gender being a significant risk factor. With proper diagnosis and expert management, MPS has a favourable outcome.

Manejo del síndrome doloroso lumbar / Management of lumbar syndrome

Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica del síndrome doloroso lumbar y se seleccionaron los artículos relacionados con este síndrome publicados desde 1991 hasta 2009. Se hizo hincapié en la búsqueda de guías para el manejo del dolor lumbar en la práctica clínica, y sus criterios fueron revisados por el equipo de especialistas en Ortopedia y Traumatología del Servicio de columna vertebral del Hospital Ortopédico Docente Fructuoso Rodríguez y adaptados a las condiciones del Sistema Nacional de Salud cubano...

A bibliographic review on painful syndrome was made selecting the articles published from 1991 to 2009 related to this syndrome. Authors emphasize in the search of guides for management of lumbar pain in the clinical practice, whose criteria were analyzed by the team Orthopedics and Traumatology team of the spinal column service from the Fructuoso Rodríguez Hospital and adjusted to conditions of the Cuban Health System...