Associations between back pain incidence, and physical activity and sedentary behaviours: A prospective cohort study with data from over 365,000 participants.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between (i) various types of physical activity and the risk of back pain incidence, and (ii) the influence of substituting sedentary behaviours with physical activities on back pain incidence. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. METHODS: We analyzed UK Biobank data collected from 365,307 participants who were free of back pain at baseline. The exposures were total, light, moderate and vigorous physical activity, and sedentary behaviours. The outcome was back pain incidence. The main statistical models were the Cox proportional hazard model and the isotemporal substitution model. RESULTS: In the follow-up time (median, 12.97 years; inter-quartile range, 12.10-13.71), 25,189 individuals developed back pain. The associations between all types of physical activity and incident back pain were significantly non-linear (p < 0.001) among the general population and other subgroups. High physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of back pain compared with no physical activity. The lowest risk occurred in the 1801-2400 MET-min/week subgroup of total physical activity (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.59-0.69), approximately consisting of 1200, 600, and 600 MET-min/week of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity, respectively. Extremely high vigorous physical activity was related to high risk, specifically in males (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25). Replacing 1 hour/day of sedentary behaviours with an equal time of physical activity reduced the risk of incident back pain by 2%-8% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Physical activity was related to a reduced risk of back pain incidence (except over-high vigorous physical activity). Substituting sedentary behaviours with physical activities reduced the risk of future back pain.

Multi-Trait Exome-Wide Association Study of Back Pain-Related Phenotypes.

Back pain (BP) is a major contributor to disability worldwide, with heritability estimated at 40-60%. However, less than half of the heritability is explained by common genetic variants identified by genome-wide association studies. More powerful methods and rare and ultra-rare variant analysis may offer additional insight. This study utilized exome sequencing data from the UK Biobank to perform a multi-trait gene-based association analysis of three BP-related phenotypes: chronic back pain, dorsalgia, and intervertebral disc disorder. We identified the SLC13A1 gene as a contributor to chronic back pain via loss-of-function (LoF) and missense variants. This gene has been previously detected in two studies. A multi-trait approach uncovered the novel FSCN3 gene and its impact on back pain through LoF variants. This gene deserves attention because it is only the second gene shown to have an effect on back pain due to LoF variants and represents a promising drug target for back pain therapy.

[Influence of chronic pain in osteoarthritis on the risk of cardiovascular diseases and modern methods of drug prevention]. / Vliyanie khronicheskoi boli pri osteoartrite na risk razvitiya serdechno-sosudistykh zabolevanii i sovremennye sposoby ikh lekarstvennoi profilaktiki.

The purpose of the review of scientific medical literature was to evaluate the data of the epidemiology of osteoarthritis (OA) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with the analysis of risk factors, pathophysiological and pathobiochemical mechanisms of the relationship between OA and the risk of developing CVD in the presence of chronic pain, modern strategies for screening and management of this cohort of patients, the mechanism of action and pharmacological effects of chondroitin sulfate (CS). Conclusions were drawn about the need for additional clinical and observational studies of the efficacy and safety of the parenteral form of CS (Chondroguard) in patients with chronic pain in OA and CVD, improvement of clinical recommendations for the treatment of chronic pain in patients with OA and cardiovascular risk, with special attention to interventions that eliminate mobility restrictions in patients and the inclusion of basic and adjuvant therapy with DMOADs to achieve the goals of multipurpose monotherapy in patients with contraindications to standard therapy drugs.

[Optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of dorsalgia in real-world clinical practice: the secondary endpoint of the DORISS multicenter observational study]. / Optimizatsiya diagnostiki i lecheniya dorsalgii v usloviyakh real'noi klinicheskoi praktiki: vtorichnaya konechnaya tochka mnogotsentrovogo nablyudatel'nogo issledovaniya DORISS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Ipigrix in the complex treatment of patients with dorsalgia (DA) of the lumbosacral spine based on the results of the DORISS observational non-interventional multicenter study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall 3563 patients with verified diagnoses of DA at 200 clinical centers within the Russian Federation who received comparable baseline therapy according to nosological standards were examined, some of them additionally received oral or staggered treatment with Ipigrix. Baseline therapy for DA was given to 376 patients (treatment group 1), combination of baseline with oral Ipigrix was given to 1026 patients (group 2), and combination with staggered prescription of ipidacrine - to 2161 (group 3). Secondary endpoint of the study included analysis of the improvement of clinical symptoms, values of pain NRS and DN4 scales together with Roland-Morris questionnaire during the period of observation depending on the therapy with an assessment of its safety. RESULTS: The results of the analysis of covariance allowed to exclude the influence of confounders (age and initial indicators of the utilized scales) on DA outcomes and demonstrated the greatest pain reduction in patients who additionally received Ipigrix via the staggered scheme. The inter-group comparison aligned by pseudorandomization showed statistically significant benefits of combined therapy regardless of the type of Ipigrix administration concerning main vertebral syndrome manifestations, sensory and motor disturbances, relief of pain, as well as neuropathic symptoms, improvement of neurophysiological parameters and restoration of life functioning without serious drug related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Ipigrix (ipidacrine) can be considered an effective and safe adjuvant analgesic in the treatment of DA.

[Points of undenatured type II collagen application in musculoskeletal pain syndromes treatment]. / Tochki prilozheniya nedenaturirovannogo kollagena II tipa v terapii skeletno-myshechnykh bolevykh sindromov.

The dominant collagen of the cartilaginous matrix in adults is type II collagen. The amount of type II collagen in the intercellular matrix of cartilage is significantly reduced against the background of musculoskeletal system diseases. The basis of articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage tissue consisting of chondrocytes with tissue-specific antigens that induce the production of antibodies in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Today, new approaches are being considered in the treatment of OA with the use of udenatured type II collagen (UC-II). Such molecular mechanisms of action of UC-II as the formation of a systemic response through oral tolerance are discussed, since the induction of tolerance is the immune pathway, by default, in the intestine. A number of experimental, preclinical (on volunteers) and clinical studies have shown the effectiveness and safety of the use of UC-II in OA. Standardized extracts of UC-II exhibit anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, chondroprotective effects, contributing to the reduction of pain symptoms of OA. Against the background of taking UC-II with induced OA, there is a statistically significant decrease in the level of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL-1ß, IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum and the level of max proteinases (MMP-3), nucleated factor «kappa-bi¼ (NF-κB) in the knee joint. UC-II significantly inhibits the production of prostaglandin E2 (by 20%) and the expression of genes encoding proinflammatory proteins. In experimental models and in OA patients, a decrease in the severity of pain syndrome, an increase in endurance, mobility and an improvement in the functional state of the joints were noted. Clinically, no changes in the structure of the muscle fiber were detected with increased physical exertion. With OA on the background of UC-II (10-40 mg/s), there was a statistically significant decrease in joint pain according to WOMAC. A promising direction of OA therapy is the combination of UC-II with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate.

[Study of the clinical efficacy and safety of the scheme of step therapy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a complex of B vitamins in patients with low back pain]. / Issledovanie effektivnosti i bezopasnosti stupenchatoi terapii nesteroidnymi protivovospalitel'nymi preparatami i vitaminami gruppy B u patsientov s ostroi dorsalgiei.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study. Comparison of efficacy and safety of treatment with Texared/Neurobion and Amelotex/Milgama in patients with acute dorsalgia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An open, observational, retrospective - prospective study involved 70 patients with acute lumbar dorsalgia. Two groups of 35 patients were formed, who were prescribed step therapy with Texared and Neurobion (group 1) and Amelotex and Milgamma (group 2). The groups of patients are comparable by gender (in group 1 - 25 (71%) women, in group 2 - 24 (69%), the average age is 50.1±10.5 and 52.8±12.0 years, respectively. The groups are comparable in the nature and severity of clinical symptoms, but not homogeneous in the nature of concomitant diseases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In two groups, there was a comparable improvement in the condition after treatment according to the Oswestry and Roland-Morris questionnaires, an increase in the quality of sleep by the 10th day of observation. In the 1st group, the decrease in pain syndrome by VAS is more pronounced: by the 3rd visit, the decrease is 7.5 points more than in the 2nd group (p<0.05). In group 1, by the 2nd visit, the median pain intensity for VAS decreased by 10 points (p<0.05), by the 3rd - by 30 points (p<0.05). In group 1, the improvement in general well-being according to the assessment of the patient and the doctor was more pronounced (p<0.05). Evaluation of the effectiveness of both types of therapy demonstrated comparable results, both in the opinion of the doctor and in the opinion of the patient. The results of treatment in both groups are comparable in terms of satisfaction with treatment and ease of use according to the patient's assessment. In group 1, there was less pain of intramuscular administration of the drug. 32 (91%) patients of group 1 positively assessed the convenience of using the proposed treatment regimen. No significant adverse events were detected in the two groups.

[Optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of dorsalgia in real-world clinical practice: the primary endpoint of the DORISS multicenter observational study]. / Optimizatsiya diagnostiki i lecheniya dorsalgii v usloviyakh real'noi klinicheskoi praktiki: pervichnaya konechnaya tochka mnogotsentrovogo nablyudatel'nogo issledovaniya DORISS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of treatment with Ipigrix on the dynamics of clinical symptoms, neurological status, and quality of life in patients with dorsalgia of the lumbosacral spine based on the DORISS non-interventional multicenter observational study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 3563 patients with verified diagnoses of low back pain in 200 clinical centers across the Russian Federation who received comparable baseline therapy according to nosological standards were examined, some of whom additionally received oral or staged administration of Ipigrix. The primary endpoint of the study was the description of clinical and sociodemographic parameters, the consumption of medical resources, and the search for optimization of dorsalgia diagnosis in contemporary Russian outpatient neurological practice. RESULTS: The population of patients included in the study represents a homogeneous group of educated, overweight people of working age with average severity of low back pain and related dysfunction. In 91.6% of cases nonspecific mechanisms of pain syndrome development with a moderate neuropathic component prevail in the genesis of back pain, being a reason for seeking medical advice once every 2 months on average. The overdiagnosis of lumbar radiculopathies is discussed, which most probably is of combined nature due to overuse and straightforward interpretation of neuroimaging results, nonsyndromological diagnosis, and classification defects. CONCLUSION: Improving the methods of diagnosis and treatment of patients with PB will reduce the incidence and the number of relapses of pain syndrome.

[Choosing of therapy for a patient with dorsalgia].

Dorsalgia is one of the most common skeletal muscle syndromes. Dorsalgia often develops in patients of older age groups with polymorbidity that requires the appointment of a large number of medications. In these conditions, the choice of effective and safe therapy is a difficult problem. Discusses management of a patient suffering dorsalgia with comorbidities, the risks of complications of therapy, possible safety treatment, in particular, through the use of combination therapy.

[Comparative characteristic of clinical efficacy of the original drug Movalis and its generic Amelotex in the treatment of non-specific lumbar pain]. / Sravnitel'naya kharakteristika klinicheskoi effektivnosti original'nogo preparata Movalis i Ameloteksa v lechenii nespetsificheskoi poyasnichnoi boli.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a comparative analysis of the efficacy of the original drug meloxicam (movalis) and its generic (amelotex) in the treatment of patients with lower back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis of treatment results of 112 (61 men and 51 women) employees of JSC «Admiralteyskie Verfi¼, aged 18 to 60 years, was carried out. All these patients were treated in the period from 2015 to 2017 at the Medical Center of JSC «Admiralteyskie Verfi¼ due to dorsalgia of lumbosacral localization (ICD-10, item M54). The average age of the patients was 42,6±10,4 (from 22 to 59 years). Age range of patients was 20-35 years (n=34); 36-50 years (n=49); >50 years (n=29). RESULTS: Compared to amelotex, movalis was more effective for the duration of pain intensity reduction (5±1,4 days (min 3, max 9) in the movalis group and 7,37±1,68 days (min 3, max 10) in the amelotex group) as well as for the total duration of temporary disability (labor losses 6,43±1,4 days (min 4, max 10) and 8,61±1,59 days (min 5, max 12), respectively). In addition, patients receiving movalis showed a more significant improvement in the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) score in all age groups compared with patients in the amelotex group. CONCLUSION: The lack of therapeutic equivalence between movalis and amelotex determines the relevance of the drug choice for complex therapy of these patients, which will improve the prognosis of the disease and the quality of life of the patient.

Notalgia paresthetica: clinical features, radiological evaluation, and a novel therapeutic option.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a sensory neuropathy characterized by localized pruritus and pain, presenting with or without a well-circumscribed hyperpigmented patch in the upper back. Abnormal sensations, such as burning, numbness, and paresthesia are often present in patients with NP. In this study, we clinically and radiologically analyzed patients with NP. The literature contains studies describing lidocaine treatments involving intravenous and topical applications for NP. We also investigated the effect of intradermal lidocaine injection on patients with NP. METHODS: A total of 80 patients (45 patients with NP and 35 suffering from dorsalgia without NP) were included in the study. The age, gender and body mass index (BMI) of the patients, and the characteristics of their symptoms were recorded. The severity of pain and pruritus was assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine were performed. In this study, we intradermally administered lidocaine diluted with saline into the upper back over three sessions. 1 cc 2% lidocaine was diluted with 5 cc 0.9% saline, and a total of 6 cc lidocaine mixture was obtained. The injection was performed locally at 1-cm intervals around the hyperpigmented patch and segmentally along the C2-T6 spinous processes. These patients were called for a follow-up at the second and fourth weeks and third month. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, BMI, VAS-pain score, and duration of symptoms (p > 0.05 for all). Forty-six cervical and/or thoracic degenerative changes or herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) were detected in patients with NP. There was a significantly higher number of HNP at the C6-7 segment and cervical degenerative changes in the NP group (p < 0.05). The VAS-pain and VAS-pruritus scores were significantly decreased at all follow-up sessions, and improvement was sustained by lidocaine up to the third month. CONCLUSION: Cervical degenerative changes and HNP of the C6-7 segment seem to be contributing factors for NP. Local lidocaine can be effective for pain relief and pruritus in NP.

Whole-body vibration and back pain-related work absence among heavy equipment vehicle mining operators.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between several whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure estimates and back pain-related work absence. METHODS: Exposures (based on the weighted daily root mean square acceleration, A(8); the daily vibration dose value, VDV(8); and the daily equivalent static compression dose, Sed(8)) of 2302 workers during 4 years were estimated using each worker's monthly vehicle operation records and WBV measurements from 11 different types of heavy equipment vehicles in a large coal mine. Company payroll data provided work absence during the concurrent 4 years of exposure. Cox regression models estimated the associations between the different WBV metrics and time to first work absence related to back pain. An adjusted R2 statistic provided a measure of model fit. RESULTS: All estimated metrics of WBV exposures were positively and significantly associated with back pain-related absence. HRs varied from 2.03 to 12.39 for every 0.21 m/s2 increase in the A(8)-based exposures; from 1.03 to 1.18 for every 1.72 m/s1.75 increase in VDV(8)-based exposures; and from 1.04 to 1.07 for every 0.06 MPa increase in Sed(8)-based exposures. Models using the estimated VDV(8) metric for the z axis fit the data best as measured by the R2 statistic. CONCLUSION: Higher WBV exposures were associated with back pain-related absences in this population, which appears after a few years of follow-up. Introducing controls to lower exposure levels may help reduce back pain-related work absences.

[The chondroprotector mucosat in an integrated approach to the treatment of nonspecific back pain]. / Khondroprotektor mukosat v integrirovannom podkhode k lecheniiu patsientov s nespetsificheskoi bol'iu v spine.

A nonspecific back pain is in the vast majority of all possible cases of dorsopathies. The sources of back pain may be myogenic dysfunction, intervertebral disc pathology or osteoarthritis of the archicular (facet) joints of the spine, including myofascial pain syndrome. A differentiated approach to the treatment of spondylarthrosis is still an unsolved problem. The article discusses important issues of integration of non-drug treatment methods and drug therapy of nonspecific back pain in patients with facet syndrome. Special attention is paid to SYSADOA group chemicals, in particular chondroitin sulfate (mucosat). These drugs have proven analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and also are able to improve the structure of the cartilaginous tissue, slowing the progression of the disease.

The incidence and most common levels of thoracic degenerative disc pathologies.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to describe and characterize the incidence of thoracic degenerative disc pathologies, bulging/herniation, and the most common affected levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and May 2012, a total of 195 patients (109 females, 86 males; mean age 43.5 years; range, 15 to 74 years) who were admitted with the complaint of dorsalgia and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic vertebral column were included in the study. Data including MRI findings, endplate and disc degeneration, disc height loss, bulging, and disc herniation were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of 3,348 patients, 195 patients had disc bulging/herniation. When 12 levels in 195 cases were taken into consideration, disc pathologies were found in 412 (18%) levels among the total of 2,340 intervertebral disc levels. Bulging was present in 11% (244/2,340) of the levels. Disc herniation was present in 7% (168/2,340) of the levels. The most commonly affected site was T7-8, followed by T8-9 and T11-12. CONCLUSION: Thoracic disc pathologies are still a significant diagnostic challenge. Our study results show that the incidence of these pathologies is higher than expected.

[Neurotropic effect of B vitamins in the complex treatment of pain syndrome]. / Ispol'zovanie vitaminov gruppy V v kompleksnoi terapii bolevykh sindromov.

Combined vitamin preparations in therapeutic doses are used, along with simple analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle and epidural blockade, for the relief of acute pain. It is recommended to use the B vitamin preparation neuromultivit. The tablet form of this preparation contains vitamin thiamine hydrochloride (100 mg), pyridoxine hydrochloride (200 mg), cyanocobalamin (0.2 mg), and injectable form includes thiamine hydrochloride (100mg), pyridoxine hydrochloride (100 mg), cyanocobalamin (1 mg). The efficacy of neuromultivit in a two stage scheme (intramuscular injections of 2 ml daily for 5-10 days with further injections 2-3 times a week for 2-3 weeks at the initial stage and 1 tablet 3 times a day for 4 weeks at the second stage) was shown.

Dorsal scapular nerve neuropathy: a narrative review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to elucidate this little known cause of upper back pain through a narrative review of the literature and to discuss the possible role of the dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) in the etiopathology of other similar diagnoses in this area including cervicogenic dorsalgia (CD), notalgia paresthetica (NP), SICK scapula and a posterolateral arm pain pattern. BACKGROUND: Dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) neuropathy has been a rarely thought of differential diagnosis for mid scapular, upper to mid back and costovertebral pain. These are common conditions presenting to chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy and medical offices. METHODS: The methods used to gather articles for this paper included: searching electronic databases; and hand searching relevant references from journal articles and textbook chapters. RESULTS: One hundred-fourteen articles were retrieved. After removing duplicates, there were 57 articles of which 29 were retrieved. There were 26 articles and textbook chapters retrieved by hand searching equaling 55 articles retrieved of which 47 relevant articles were used in this report. DISCUSSION: The anatomy, pathway and function of the dorsal scapular nerve can be varied and exceptionally rarely may include a sensory component. The signs and symptoms, therefore, may include pain, atrophy, scapular winging, and dysesthesia. The mechanism of injury to the DSN is also quite varied ranging from postural to overuse in overhead work and sport. Other conditions in this area, including CD, NP, SICK scapula and a posterolateral arm pain pattern bear a striking resemblance to DSN neuropathy. CONCLUSION: DSN neuropathy should be included in the list of common differential diagnoses of upper and mid-thoracic pain, stiffness, dysesthesia and dysfunction. The study also brings forward interesting connections between DSN neuropathy, CD, NP, SICK scapula and a posterolateral arm pain pattern.

OBJECTIF: Ce document a pour objectif d'élucider cette cause peu connue de douleur dans le haut du dos par un examen narratif de la littérature, ainsi que de discuter du rôle possible du nerf scapulaire dorsal (NSD) dans l'étiopathologie d'autres diagnostics semblables dans ce domaine, y compris la dorsalgie cervicogénique (DC), la notalgie paresthésique (NP), l'omoplate SICK et un schéma de douleur postérolatérale au bras. CONTEXTE: La neuropathie du nerf scapulaire dorsal (NSD) constitue un diagnostic différentiel rare pour la douleur mi-scapulaire, costo-vertébrale et au bas/haut du dos. Il s'agit de troubles communs qui surgissent dans les cabinets de chiropratique, de physiothérapie, de massothérapie et de médecin. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les méthodes utilisées pour rassembler les articles de ce document comprenaient la recherche dans des bases de données électroniques et la recherche manuelle de références pertinentes dans des articles de journaux et des chapitres de traités. RÉSULTATS: On a extrait 114 articles. Une fois les dédoublements éliminés, il y avait 57 articles, desquels 29 ont été extraits. Il y avait 26 articles et chapitres de traités extraits à la main, ce qui donne 55 articles extraits, desquels 47 articles pertinents ont été utilisés pour ce rapport. DISCUSSION: L'anatomie, la voie et la fonction du nerf scapulaire dorsal peuvent être variées et, exceptionnellement, comprendre un facteur sensoriel. Par conséquent, les signes et symptômes peuvent comprendre la douleur, l'atrophie, le décollement scapulaire et la dysesthésie. Le mécanisme de blessure du NSD est lui aussi très varié, allant de la posture au travail/sport au-dessus de la tête. D'autres troubles dans ce domaine, dont la DC, la NP, l'omoplate SICK et un schéma de douleur postéro-latérale au bras, ressemblent étrangement à la neuropathie du NSD. CONCLUSION: Il faut inclure la neuropathie du NSD dans la liste des diagnostics différentiels communs pour la douleur thoracique supérieure et médiane, la raideur, la dysesthésie et le dysfonctionnement. De plus, l'étude met en évidence d'intéressants liens entre la neuropathie du NSD, la DC, la NP, l'omoplate SICK et un schéma de douleur postéro-latérale au bras.

A propósito de un caso: quiste enterogénico de mediastino posterior / A case of: enterogenic cyst of the posterior mediastinum

Los quistes enterogénicos son anomalías congénitas raras que se encuentran en niños y ocasionalmente en adultos. Se estudió una paciente adulta con antecedentes de salud que comenzó con dorsalgia que no cedía al tratamiento analgésico. Se le indica estudio radiológico de columna dorsal donde se detecta imagen retrocardiaca paravertebral, que por tomografía se diagnostica como lesión quística del mediastino posterior. Fue intervenida quirúrgicamente con exéresis de la lesión diagnosticándose en estudio histopatológico un quiste enterogénico (AU)

Enterogenic cysts are uncommon congenital abnormalities that are found in children and occasionally in adults. A female adult patient with positive personal history was studied that began with back pain non relieved with analgesics .A radiological study was ordered of the dorsal spine that showed a paravertebral retro cardiac image, that was identified by a CT-Scan as a cystic lesion of the posterior mediastinum. She was operated with removal of the lesion that was diagnosed in histopathology study as an enterogenic cyst (AU)

Estudio controlado, doble ciego, randomizado, multicéntrico, para evaluar la eficacia de la combinación fija tiocolchicósido más diclofenaco potásico en contracturas / Multicentered, randomized, double-blind and controlled study for the evaluation of efficacy of a set combination of thiocolchicoside plus potasium diclofenac in spams

Objetivo: determinar la eficacia y la tolerabilidad de la combinación a dosis fija, en una sola tableta, de tiocolchicósido 4 mg más diclofenaco potásico 50 mg en la reducción de la contractura muscular aguda estriada dolorosa comparado contra placebo y el uso de paracetamol tabletas de 500 mg como medicación de rescate. Métodos: fueron reclutados 97 pacientes de 2 ciudades ecuatorianas, Quito y Guayaquil, en tres centros de investigación, públicos y privados, con cervicalgia, dorsalgia y lumbalgia, principalmente de causa funcional. Los pacientes fueron asignados al azar en dos grupos: 1) grupo medicación activa, tiocolchicósido más diclofenaco potásico, 50 pacientes, 2) grupo placebo 47 pacientes. La eficacia en ambos grupos se evaluó por la reducción de la contractura muscular apreciada por inspección, palpación y reducción del dolor medido por una escala visual análoga, después de 5 días de tratamiento. Resultados: la evolución del grado de contractura muscular en el grupo medicación activa por evaluación visual pasó de un 100 por ciento con contractura visible con o sin actividad antiálgica fija a 96 por ciento sin signos visibles de contractura; de un 82 por ciento de contractura moderada a severa con o sin dolor evocado por palpación a un 74 por ciento de contractura leve sin dolor y 26 por ciento de ausencia de contractura. El promedio de dolor según la escala visual análoga disminuyó de 6,66 cm antes del tratamiento a 0,86 cm al finalizar el quinto día de tratamiento. Los efectos adversos fueron leves en el grupo tratado. Conclusiones: la combinación fija de tiocolchicósido 4 mg más diclofenaco potásico 50 mg en una sola tableta, administrado dos veces al día, es eficaz en el manejo de la contractura muscular aguda dolorosa de diversa etiología de manera estadísticamente significativa, bien tolerada y no altera el rendimiento psicomotor(AU)

Objective: to determine the efficacy and tolerability of a combination at a set dose in a single tablet of thiocolchicoside 4 mg plus potassium diclofenac 50 mg in the reduction of painful acute muscle spasm compared with the placebo and the use of 500 mg paracetamol as rescue medication. Methods: ninety seven patients from two Ecuador cities, named Quito and Guayaquil, were recruited in three research centers, both public and private. They suffered cervical pain, low back pain and dorsal pain, mainly of functional cause. The patients were randomly assigned in two groups 1) active medication group with 50 patients treated with thiocolchicoside plus potassium diclofenac and 2) placebo group with 47 patients. The efficacy of both groups was evaluated by the reduction of muscle spams observed in checking, palpation and pain reduction measured in an analogue visual scale after 5 days of treatment. Results: the progress of the muscle spasm degree in the active medication group according to visual evaluation went from 100 percent with visible spasm with or without fixed antialgic activity to 96 percent with no visible signs of spasm; from 82 percent of moderate spasm to severe with or without evoked pain by palpation to 74 percent of mild spasm without pain and 26 percent of spasm-free muscle. The pain average according to the visual scale decreased from 6.66 cm before treatment to 0,86 cm after the 5th day. The adverse effects were mild in t he treated group. Conclusions: the fixed combination of thiocolchicoside 4mg plus potassium diclofenac 50 mg in a single tablet, administered two times a day is efficacious in the painful acute muscle spasm of diverse etiology in a statistically significant way, well-tolerated and with no alteration of the psychomotor performance(AU)

Treatment of localized neuropathic pain of different etiologies with the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster - a case series.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of the topical 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in the treatment of localized neuropathic pain. STUDY DESIGN: This was a case series at an Austrian pain clinic, using retrospective analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 27 patients treated for localized neuropathic pain with the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster were retrospectively analyzed. Assessment included changes in overall pain intensity, in intensity of different pain qualities, and of hyperalgesia and allodynia, and changes in sleep quality. RESULTS: Patients (17 female, ten male; mean age 53.4±11.4 years) presented mainly with dorsalgia (16 patients) or postoperative/posttraumatic pain (seven patients); one patient suffered from both. The mean overall pain intensity prior to treatment with lidocaine medicated plaster was 8.4±1.2 on the 11-point Likert scale. In the majority of cases, the lidocaine plaster was applied concomitantly with preexisting pain medication (81.5% of the patients). During the 6-month observation period, overall mean pain intensity was reduced by almost 5 points (4.98) to 3.5±2.6. Substantial reductions were also observed for neuralgiform pain (5 points from 7.9±2.6 at baseline) and burning pain (3 points from 5.2±4.1). Sleep quality improved from 4.6±2.6 at baseline to 5.5±1.8. Stratification by pain diagnosis showed marked improvements in overall pain intensity for patients with dorsalgia or postoperative/posttraumatic pain. The lidocaine plaster was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Overall, topical treatment with the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster was associated with effective pain relief and was well tolerated.

Synthesis and characterization of self-curing hydrophilic bone cements for protein delivery.

New formulations of acrylic bone cements for bone defect reparation, based on self-hardening methyl methacrylate (MMA)/methacrylic acid (MAA), with a high capacity for protein delivery, have been developed. The self-curing formulations were prepared by partial substitution of solid phase PMMA microparticles by newly obtained PMAA microspheres. The PMAA microspheres were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization of their monomer and were cross-linked with N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) (10-15 wt %) to produce stable systems in contact with aqueous media. PMAA microspheres were loaded with hydrolyzed collagen (HC) as a model protein to simulate bone morphogenetic protein delivery useful for hard tissue reconstruction. Solid phase PMMA microparticles in the formulation were partially substituted by new PMAA-HC microspheres and were characterized to determine viability as an acrylic bone cement in minimally invasive surgery. The incorporation of PMAA-HC microspheres decreased peak temperature by 20°C, which minimized thermal necrotic risk after implantation. Mechanical compression tests revealed a behavior, under dry conditions, close to ISO 5833 standard requirements. However, a drastic drop in mechanical strength, ∼64%, was obtained after 15 days of immersion in simulated physiological conditions (37°C and pH 7.4) and was attributed to water absorption and a subsequent plasticizing effect. The increase in water uptake and retention enhanced the capability for controlled protein delivery. Finally, the biocompatibility of the cements was determined; some toxicity of the material during the first hours of culture incubation was observed. Later, toxicity was observed to decrease due to nonreacted monomer leaching, which ensured the low toxicity of the already polymerized phase.

Síndrome de Marcapaso en paciente con Síndrome de QT Prolongado / Pacemaker syndrome in long QT syndrome patient

El síndrome de marcapasos es generado por la desincronización de la actividad auricular con la ventricular durante el marcapaso ventricular VVI en pacientes portadores de enfermedad del nodo. La enfermedad evoluciona de meses hasta varios años después del implante del marcapaso, siendo más frecuente en pacientes adultos mayores. El único tratamiento es el implante de un electrodo auricular para una estimulación aurículo ventricular sincrónica. Se presenta el caso de una paciente diagnosticada con enfermedad del nodo sinusal asociada a un QT prolongado, a la cual se le implantó un marcapaso VVIR, luego de algunos meses comenzó a presentar síntomas de insuficiencia cardiaca,a los 3 años del implante presento un episodio sincopal,en cuya evaluación con Holter ECG se registró un episodio de una taquicardia ventricular no sostenida observándose la presencia de ondas P retrogradas tras cada estimulación ventricular con marcapasos. Se consideró la probabilidad de un síncope arrítmico, que se manejó con Amiodarona. Se diagnosticó síndrome de marcapaso, realizando un mejoramiento del marcapaso por un equipo bicameral, con lo cual todos los síntomas de insuficiencia cardiaca desaparecieron. No se repitió el evento sincopal y desde la época la paciente se maneja en una capacidad funcional normal.

Pacemaker syndrome is an entity generated by a desynchronization between the auricular and ventricular activity during the paced ventricleVVI in patients with node disease.This syndrome can develop in moths even years after the pacemaker implant, being more frequent in elderly patients. The only treatment is to implant an auricular electrode for a synchronic atrioventricular stimulation. It presents the case of a patient diagnosed with a sinus node disease associated to long QT, for this reason it was implanted a pacemaker VVIR, few months later the patient started to have symptoms of heart failure, three years after that presented a syncope episodes showed in a Holter ECG study that reported unsustainable ventricular tachycardia episode and retrograde P waves after every ventricular stimulation sent by the pacemaker. The probability of an arrhythmic syncope was considered treated with Amiodarona. Pacemaker syndrome was diagnosed, making an improvement by a dual chamber pacemaker and all symptoms of heart failure disappeared. Syncopal event was not repeated and from the time the patient is operated on a normal functional capacity.