Articles: low-back-pain.
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Multicenter Study
Normality Analysis of Numeric Rating Scale Scores in Patients with Chronic Axial Spine Pain Before and After Medial Branch Blocks: a Multicenter Study.
The statistical analysis typically used to compare pain before and after interventions assumes that scores are normally distributed. The present study evaluates whether numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, specifically NRS-11 scores, are indeed normally distributed in a clinically relevant cohort of adults with chronic axial spine pain before and after analgesic intervention. ⋯ Although the results of parametric analyses of NRS-11 scores are commonly reported in pain research, some properties of the NRS-11 do not satisfy the assumptions required for these analyses. The data demonstrate non-normal distributions in post-intervention NRS-11 scores, thereby violating a key requisite for parametric analysis. We urge pain researchers to consider appropriate statistical analysis and reporting for non-normally distributed NRS-11 scores to ensure accurate interpretation and communication of these data. Practicing pain physicians should similarly recognize that parametric post-intervention pain score statistics might not accurately describe the data and should expect articles to utilize measures of normality to justify the selected statistical methods.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of diclofenac with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo in the treatment of acute low back pain and sciatica: multi-center randomized controlled trial.
Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and has posed numerous health and socioeconomic challenges. This study compared whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with tramadol, tizanidine or placebo would be the best treatment regime to improve the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores at 1 week. ⋯ Among patients with acute LBP and sciatica presenting to the ED, adding tramadol or tizanidine to diclofenac did not improve functional recovery.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Prolonged opioid use after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery in a Belgian population: a multicentric observational study.
Lumbar spinal fusion surgeries are increasingly being performed in spinal degenerative disease, often accompanied by perioperative opioid prescriptions. The aim of this study is to analyze prolonged postoperative opioid use following a standardized opioid prescription after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery in a Belgian population. ⋯ 1 in 3 patients undergoing single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery is at risk for prolonged opioid use. The study underscores the importance of tailored pain management strategies, particularly given the rising prevalence of spinal fusion surgeries. The association between pre-operative low back pain, post-operative improvement in functionality (ODI), and prolonged opioid use emphasizes the need for judicious opioid prescribing practices and highlights the role of functional outcomes in treatment goals.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
The Effect of Sedation on Diagnostic Lumbar Medial Branch Blocks for Facetogenic Low Back Pain: An Observational Study.
Lumbar medial branch blocks (MBB) are some of the most commonly performed pain procedures in the United States. Diagnostic MBBs are performed to confirm if the generator of low back pain is the facet joint. However, with diagnostic injections, false positive blocks may occur. ⋯ This study showed that midazolam did not change patients' perceived intensity of pain following MBB, as well as false positive rates after RFA. Larger studies are required to draw definitive conclusions.
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Multicenter Study
Subgroup characteristics in care workers with low back pain: cluster analysis-based severity of central sensitivity syndromes and low back pain.
This multicentre, collaborative, cross-sectional study aimed to explore the characteristics of subgroups based on central sensitivity syndromes (CSSs) and low back pain (LBP) severity. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between the classified subgroups and work status among the care workers. ⋯ Our findings suggested that the severe LBP and severe CSS subgroups had common and different characteristics concerning psychological factors and work status, including interference with work. Our results may help to improve the management of care workers with LBP.