Prevalence and Factors Associated with Chronic Low Back Pain in the Mining Sector in Burkina Faso

Introduction: Low back pain is nowadays a real public health problem in companies. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with chronic low back pain among workers of a mining company in Burkina Faso. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with a retrospective collection that took place from August 1, 2021 to March 16, 2022 in a gold mine in Burkina Faso. It focused on mine workers who participated in the 2019 annual medical visit. Results: Out of a total workforce of 880 workers who took part in the annual medical visit in 2019, 165 had chronic common low back pain, i.e. a prevalence of 18.75%. The average age of low back pain workers was 37.21 ± 7.5 years. Among the workers suffering from low back pain, 62 (37.58%) held the position of machine operator. Clinically, mechanical pain was found in 113 low back pain workers (76%) and twenty-nine (17.58%) had radicular pain. Standard radiography of the lumbar spine was abnormal in 129 workers (78.18%. In the univariate analysis, the factors associated with the pathology were sex, level of study, work station and seniority in the position. After a logistic regression, the factors associated with its occurrence were whole-body vibration (Fisher’s test = 12.7541;P = 0.000), male sex (Fisher’s test = 8.363;P = 0.004), and seniority for 4 to 5 years (Chi2 = 4.0234;p = 0.046). Conclusion: The study reveals the existence of chronic low back pain cases among the workers of the mining company. There is a predominance of the pathology in men, workers exposed to vibrations and those with a seniority of 4 to 5 years. It is necessary to establish a policy of prevention of low back pain for the benefit of workers, in particular those exposed to vibrations.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among Healthcare Workers in Two Hospitals in Yaoundé-Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a very common health problem amongst the general population and a major cause of disability that affects work performance and well-being. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are especially at risk of developing LBP because of physical and emotional factors. Little is known about the burden of LBP in Cameroon. Objective: To determine the prevalence of low back pain and identify its associated factors among healthcare workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among healthcare workers in the Yaound Central Hospital and the Yaound University Teaching Hospital. The questionnaire collected data regarding recent, past year and lifetime occurrences of LBP, socio-demographics and work conditions. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: A total number of 268 HCWs participated in the study, including 197 (73.5%) females and 71 (26.5%) males. The mean age of the study participants was 40.60 8.38 years (extremes of 20 and 65 years). The lifetime, annual, and point prevalences of LBP among the participants were 67.5% (CI: 61.6 - 73.1), 61.5% (CI: 55.6 - 67.1) and 35.7% (CI: 29.7 - 41.5) respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed a moderate stress level, a sedentary lifestyle, working in the medicine and specialities department, lifting heavy objects and bending to work as associated factors to LBP. Most sufferers had a minimal functional disability (65.7%) while 34.3% had a moderate to severe disability. Conclusions: Healthcare providers have a considerably high prevalence of low back pain. Factors associated with LBP found in this study were similar to those widely recognized in the literature. A substantial proportion of healthcare providers are suffering from functional disability associated with low back pain, affecting their social and work lives. There is a need for multilevel interventions to prevent and control low back pain in this highly vulnerable occupational group.

Functional assessment and influencing factors after staged functional training in patients with ankle fractures

BACKGROUND The recovery of limb function after ankle fracture surgery is a gradual process.The main purpose of implementing early functional exercise,joint mobility,muscle contraction function,passive ankle flexion and extension exercises,or physical factor therapy techniques is to achieve the rapid recovery of normal physiological limb function.However,currently the most effective rehabilitation training method is staged limb functional exercise,which promotes rapid recovery of limb function while preventing adverse consequences caused by overwork or insufficient training.Staged limb functional exercise divides the rehabilitation process into multiple stages,each of which has specific training objectives and contents.This method helps patients gradually restore limb function.Nevertheless,some patients still exhibit poor limb function after standardized exercise.Therefore,a functional evaluation should be performed to analyze the impact of staged functional training after ankle fracture surgery.AIM To perform a functional evaluation and determine the influencing factors of staged functional training in patients with ankle fracture.METHODS A retrospective study enrolled 150 patients who underwent surgical treatment for ankle fracture from May 2020 to May 2022 at our hospital.Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed on general data,functional exercise compliance scale for orthopedic patients,Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS),American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score(AOFAS)Ankle-Hindfoot Score,and pain factors[serum bradykinin(BK),prostaglandin E2(PGE2),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)].RESULTS Based on the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale,the cases were divided into the excellent function(n=111)and ordinary function(n=39)groups.Univariate analysis revealed that monthly family income,education level,diabetes mellitus,functional exercise compliance scale of orthopedic patients score,SSRS,BK,PGE2,and 5-HT significantly influenced limb function after ankle fracture(P<0.05);Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the functional exercise compliance scale score,SSRS,BK,PGE2,and 5-HT were independent risk factors affecting functional performance after staged functional exercise(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Exercise compliance,SSRS,and pain level are the independent risk factors affecting functional performance after staged functional training following ankle surgery.Clinical nursing care after ankle surgery should include analgesic and health education measures to ensure optimal recovery of limb function.

Research progress of pain catastrophizing in patients with lumbar disc herniation

Pain catastrophization is one of the negative emotional factors and an important psychological factor associated with patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH).Currently,the concept of pain catastrophization of LDH is relatively mature abroad;however,there are only few research studies on this in China.To understand the status quo of pain catastrophization(PC)in patients with LDH and its influencing factors,the intervention measures of PC and their efficacy were further analyzed.In the present paper,the research status of PC at home and abroad is briefly expounded,and the influencing factors and clinical intervention measures for PC are analyzed.This paper reviews the concept of PC,the assessment tools,influencing factors,and the relevant intervention measures.In order to evaluate the pain degree of patients,understand the incidence of pain in patients,and improve the cure rate and quality of life of patients,the basic situation of patients with pain disaster is summarized to provide reference for medical personnel.

Risk Factors of Low Back Pain among the Chinese Occupational Population:A Case-control Study

Objective To explore the risk factors of low back pain among the Chinese occupational population in several major industries. Methods A total of 7200 subjects （3600 cases and 3600 controls） were randomly sampled from a cross-sectional study, and they were investigated for individual and occupational factors of low back pain. The potential risk factors were first selected by using chi-square tests. Secondly, collinearity diagnosis proceeded by using the Kendall＇s rank correlation. Finally, binary logistic regression model was used for multi-factor analysis. Results Collinearity diagnosis showed that there was a severe collinearity problem among the potential risk factors of low back pain. Logistic regression model included 20 variables with statistical significance. Bending neck forward or holding neck in a forward posturefor long periods （0R=1.408） was the most important risk factor inducing low back pain in this study, followed by bending heavily with the trunk （0R=1.402）, carrying out identical work almost for the whole day （0R=1.340）. Additionally, suHicient normal break was a protective factor of low back pain. Conclusion Low back pain among the Chinese occupational population was associated with body height, occupation, work organization, physical work, working posture, and others. All these risk factors could be regarded as the indicators of low back pain, and some relevant preventive measures should be taken to reduce low back pain risk.

Low Back Pain among Nurses: Prevalence, and Occupational Risk Factors

Objectives: Low back pain is a major occupational problem especially among nursing staff. The objectives of our study are to evaluate the prevalence of low back pain among nurses and to look for physical and psychosocial risk factors. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire destined for all nurses working in Farhat Hached Teaching hospital of Sousse (Tunisia). Results: Our study included 203 nurses with an average age of 39.8 years. The prevalence of low back pain over the last twelve months was 58.1%. The factors that are significantly associated to low back pain were: high BMI, number of pregnancies, arthritis, poor physical condition, daily frequency of inappropriate posture for the activity being performed, and the layout of materials in the workplace. Conclusion: Our study evidenced the high prevalence of LBP among nurses and allowed bringing to light the role of individual and ergonomic physical factors in the genesis of LBP. Such identification permits to undertake targeted preventive actions. The association between psychosocial factors and LBP was not emphasized.

Predictive Factors for Persistent Pain and Poor Recovery of Health Status 1 Year after Whiplash Injury (Quebec Grade 1 and 2): Results from the ESPARR Cohort

Background: A large number of studies have addressed whiplash injury, and many meta-analyses have sought to highlight chronicity factors;the implicated processes, however, remain a matter of debate. The present study used data from the ESPARR cohort (an on-going prospective study of a representative cohort of road accident victims in the Rh?ne administrative département of France). The objectives were to describe the consequences of whiplash injury and to determine prognostic factors for poor recovery and persistent pain at 1 year post-accident. Methods: The cohort included 255 “pure” whiplash victims, 173 of whom responded to the 1-year follow-up questionnaire. Correlations between explanatory variables and health and pain status were explored by modified Poisson regression to provide adjusted relative risk (RR) values. Results: Half of the victims had not fully recovered health status by 1 year. The main factor associated with non-recovery was pain (RR = 1.3;1.0-1.7). A birth in the family preceding the accident emerged as another factor (RR=1.5;1.2-1.9). Victims responsible for their accident were twice as likely to report being free of pain as those not responsible (RR = 0.5;0.3-0.8). No correlation emerged with accident-related characteristics or PTSD. Conclusions: The present results extend our understand- ing of whiplash injury. Residual pain is the fundamental factor causing whiplash victims to feel that they have not recovered good health. Our findings suggest this may be bound up with physical factors (gender susceptibility);external factors such as having to carry weights (such as a baby) and with perceiving oneself as a victim are not incompatible with this hypothesis.

Frequency and Risk Factors of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Cotonou (Benin)

Aim: To determine the frequency and the risk factors of Complex Regional Pain syndrome (CRPS) in Cotonou (Benin). Patients and Méthod: This has been a transversal study carried out over 22 years on files of CRPS infected patients and submitted to rheumatologic consultation in the National Hospital University of Cotonou. Results: 73 out of 17,342 patients examined (0.42%) were suffering from CRPS. Those 73 patients (40 women, 54.8% and 33 men, 45.2%) were in average 54.66 years old and enjoyed an average duration of evolution of 5.79 months. The trauma (41 cases, 56.1%), the stroke (19 cases, 25%), the diabetes (8 cases, 11.3), were the main risk factors that were observed. CRPS was preferably located at the shoulder-hand (34.2%), shoulder (28.8%), wrist-hand (16.4%) and knee (11%). Inflammatory pain was observed in 55 cases. The treatment was dominated by griseofulvina (41 cases, 56.1%), antiinflammatory drugs (38 cases, 52%), analgesic (20 cases, 27, 3%), joint injection by betamethasone (17 cases, 27%). Conclusion: CRPS is not rare in our country. The first risk factor remains the trauma in rheumatologic consultation in Cotonou.

Targeting tumor necrosis factor in the brain relieves neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a chronic syndrome caused by direct damage to or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. The lack of safe, adequate and sustained pain relief offered by present analgesic treatments is most alarming. While many treatment options are available to manage chronic pain, such as antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, opioids, and anticonvulsants, chronic neuropathic pain remains largely unmanaged. Compounding the dilemma of ineffective chronic pain treatments is the need to provide relief from suffering and yet not contribute to the scourge of drug abuse. A recent epidemic of addiction and accidental drug prescription overdoses parallel the increased use of opioid treatment, even though opioids are rarely an effective treatment of relieving chronic pain. To make matters worse, opioids may contribute to exacerbating pain, and side-effects such as cognitive impairment, nausea, constipation, development of tolerance, as well as their potential for addiction and overdose deaths exist. Clearly, there is an urgent need for alternative, nonopiate treatment of chronic pain. Innovative discoveries of pertinent brain mechanisms and functions are key to developing effective, safe treatments. Pioneering work has revealed the essential effects of the pleiotropic mediator tumor necrosis factor(TNF) on brain functioning. These studies establish that TNF inhibits norepinephrine release from hippocampal neurons, and show that excess TNF production within the hippocampus occurs during neuropathic pain, which mobilizes additional mechanisms that further inhibit norepinephrine release. Significantly, it has been verified that elevated levels of TNF in the brain are actually required for neuropathic pain development. Since TNF decreases norepinephrine release in the brain, enhanced TNF levels would prevent engagement of the norepinephrine descending inhibitory neuronal pain pathways. Increased levels of TNF in the brain are therefore critical to the development of neuropathic pain. Therefore, strategies that decrease this enhanced TNF expression in the brain will have superior analgesic efficacy. We propose this novel approach of targeting the pathologically high levels of brain TNF as an effective strategy in the treatment of the devastating syndrome of chronic pain.

Effects of cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor on growth-associated protein 43 and nerve growth factor expression in dorsal root ganglion during neuropathic pain development

BACKGROUND： Inflammatory responses in injured nerves have been recognized as important factors for initially sensitizing nociceptive neurons. Cyclooxygenase （COX） is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis, and COX-2 inhibitor is involved in mechanisms of analgesia and anti-inflammation. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of COX-2 inhibitor on thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, as well as expression of growth associated protein 43 （GAP-43） and nerve growth factor （NGF） in dorsal root ganglion, in a rat model of neuropathic pain due to chronic constriction injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, comparison study that was performed at the Surgical Department and Pathological Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College from September 2006 to September 2007. MATERIALS： COX-2 inhibitor, Iornoxicam, was purchased from Nycomed Pharmaceutical （Austria）; rabbit anti-GAP-43, and rabbit anti-NGF polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Boster, Wuhan, China. METHODS： A total of 50 adult, Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups： normal control （n = 5）, model （n = 15）, normal saline control （n = 15）, and Iornoxicam treatment （n =15）. With exception of the control group, the sciatic nerve of all rats was loosely ligated to establish a model of chronic constriction injury. The model rats were divided into three subgroups according to varying post-operative survival periods： 3, 7 and 14 days （n = 5）, respectively. Rats in the Iornoxicam treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with 1.3 mg/kg lornoxicam every 12 hours throughout the entire experimental procedure. Rats in the normal saline control group were intraperitoneally injected with 1.3 mL/kg saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of GAP-43 and NGF in the L5 dorsal root ganglions. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were used to observe neurological behavioral changes in rats. RESULTS： The relative gray values of GAP-43- and NGF-positive neurons in the model group were remarkably increased compared with the normal control rats （P 〈 0.01）, while the relative gray values in the Iomoxicam treatment group were significantly less than the model and normal saline control groups （P 〈 0.01）. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency gradually decreased with increasing injury time in the model, normal saline control, and Iornoxicam treatment groups, and were significantly less than the normal control group （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were significantly greater in the Iornoxicam treatment group compared with the model and normal saline control groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Intraperitoneal injection of the COX-2 inhibitor Iornoxicam attenuated mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia induced by sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury and inhibited the increased expression of GAP-43 and NGF.

Focus on Cancer Pain at Home: A Prospective Study of Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors on Patients

Background and Aims: The treatment of patients with advanced cancer pain is mainly concentrated in the outpatient department, and most of the time in their family, these patients are easy to be ignored, To study the quality of life and its influencing factors of cancer pain patients at home is of great significance to improve the quality of life of patients. Meanwhile, it provides theoretical and practical basis for medical personnel to develop and implement individualized comprehensive intervention programs. Patients and Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 200 patients with cancer pain at home are selected to treat, and their quality of life conditions are observed before treatment, 1 week after treatment and 1 month after treatment, and their influencing factors are analyzed. Results: The patients’ scores of body function, emotional function, cognitive function and social function exist significant difference before and after treatment (p scores of role function and the overall evaluation scores before and after treatment, two stages after treatment exist significant difference (p < 0.01), the symptoms scores of fatigue, pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are significant differences before and after treatment (p appetite loss score before a month and a week after treatment and treatment exists significant difference (p the scores of constipation symptom before treatment and a month after treatment exist significant difference (p < 0.01), only gender on cognitive function before treatment has significant difference (p . One week after treatment, tumor staging and metastasis have impact on overall health evaluation, role function, cognitive function and emotional function (p The location of metastasis and the type of pain affect the role function and emotional function respectively (p . One month after treatment, age, metastasis, metastasis site and pain type have influence on cognitive function, emotional function, overall health evaluation and role function respectively (p The overall health status, body function, role function, emotional function, cognitive function and social function of the patients are lower than those of the Norwegian norm (p < 0.001). The symptoms of pain, appetite, constipation, nausea and vomiting are higher than those of the Norwegian norm before and after treatment (p There was a significant positive correlation between quality of life and total score of social support (p < 0.01). Objective support and subjective support were positively correlated with quality of life (p Conclusion: Cognitive interventions should be individualized. The effectiveness of cancer treatment and the control of cancer recurrence and metastasis have influence on the quality of life of patients with cancer pain at home. Although the patients’ function indexes have been improved after treatment, there exist differences in the improvement after treatment. The symptoms of nausea, vomiting, pain and appetite should be intervened promptly. The management of symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, constipation should be focused persistently. Objective support and subjective support were the influencing factors of patients’ quality of life, the construction of social support system should be strengthened, we should help them to overcome negative emotions, return to normal family and social roles, seek help in a positive manner and use support to improve the quality of life.

Factors Influencing the Use of Outcome Measures for Patients with Low Back Pain: A Survey of Nigerian Physiotherapists

Background: Low back pain is one of the important patients’ presenting complain that requires expert management from the physiotherapists. Yet no work was available for reference on the use of outcome measures for its evaluation by Nigeria physiotherapists. Objective: This study, therefore, investigated the outcome measures used by Nigerian physiotherapists to evaluate patients with Low Back Pain and the factors that influenced their use. Methods: A survey questionnaire was posted to 306 randomly selected mem- bers of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP). Data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean, ANOVA, and Pearson’s Chi-square. P-value was placed at 0.05. Results: 52.9% of the respondents (221) used a pain visual analog scale. Only 36.1% used LBP-specific clinical outcome measures. The factors that influenced their use were belief, attitude, knowledge, and choice. There was no significant difference between the majority of the factors and the use of clinical outcome measures. The P-values were 0.960, 0.648, 0.760 for belief, attitude and knowledge respectively. The only factor that had a significant difference (P = 0.029) with the use of clinical outcome measures was choice. Gender and postgraduate qualification had no significant influ- ence on the use of clinical outcome measures at the P-value of 0.117 and 0.510 respectively. Conclusion: Pain visual analog scale is the outcome measure frequently used by Nigeria Physiotherapists to evaluate patients with Low Back Pain. Belief, attitude, knowledge, and choice are the factors that influ- enced the use. There is a need to incorporate the use of LBP-specific outcome measures by Nigerian physiotherapists while treating patients with LBP.

M2型巨噬细胞衍生外泌体促进小胶质细胞M2型极化

背景:目前对于M2型巨噬细胞衍生外泌体的研究多集中于促进伤口愈合及成骨细胞的增殖和分化,而很少有研究关注其对小胶质细胞表型的调控作用。目的:探讨M2型巨噬细胞衍生外泌体对于小胶质细胞的表型调控作用及分子机制。方法:①提取骨髓原代巨噬细胞,用50 ng/m L白细胞介素4刺激巨噬细胞24 h促进巨噬细胞M2型极化,流式细胞术和细胞免疫荧光鉴定M2型巨噬细胞标志物CD206;②提取和鉴定M2型巨噬细胞衍生外泌体;③将小胶质细胞BV2随机分为3组:对照组、脂多糖组、治疗组,对照组不做处理,脂多糖组加入500 ng/m L脂多糖干预24 h,治疗组同时加入500 ng/m L脂多糖和25μg/m L M2型巨噬细胞衍生外泌体干预24 h,ELISA检测培养上清中肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素10的分泌量,q RT-PCR检测细胞中诱导型一氧化氮合酶、精氨酸酶1、白细胞介素1β和白细胞介素10的m RNA表达,Western blot检测诱导型一氧化氮合酶、精氨酸酶1的蛋白表达以及核因子κB信号通路相关蛋白表达。结果与结论:①ELISA结果显示,与对照组相比,脂多糖组肿瘤坏死因子α分泌明显增多;与脂多糖组相比,治疗组肿瘤坏死因子α的分泌减少而白细胞介素10的分泌增多;②q RT-PCR结果显示,与对照组相比,脂多糖组白细胞介素1β、诱导型一氧化氮合酶m RNA表达升高;与脂多糖组相比,治疗组白细胞介素1β、诱导型一氧化氮合酶m RNA表达降低,白细胞介素10、精氨酸酶1 m RNA表达升高;③Western blot结果显示,与对照组相比,脂多糖组诱导型一氧化氮合酶蛋白表达升高;与脂多糖组相比,治疗组诱导型一氧化氮合酶蛋白表达降低,而精氨酸酶1蛋白表达升高;(4)与对照组相比,脂多糖组核因子κB信号通路中P65、p-IκB-α蛋白表达降低;与脂多糖组相比,治疗组P65、p-IκB-α蛋白表达升高。结果表明:M2型巨噬细胞衍生外泌体可以显著抑制脂多糖诱导小胶质细胞的炎症反应,促进抗炎因子白细胞介素10的表达,抑制促炎因子肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β的表达,促进小胶质细胞表型由M1型向M2型极化,其机制可能与M2型巨噬细胞衍生外泌体抑制核因子κB信号通路激活有关。

膝骨关节炎疼痛领域热点与前沿的可视化分析

背景:疼痛是膝骨关节炎的主要症状,严重影响老年患者的生活质量。膝骨关节炎疼痛机制复杂,涉及多组织、多学科,需要可视化分析了解其主要内容与研究热点。目的:运用文献计量学可视化软件分析归纳膝骨关节炎疼痛领域的前沿内容和研究热点。方法:从Web of Science核心合集(Web of Science Core Collection,WoSCC)中检索2014-2024年膝骨关节炎疼痛领域的相关文献,运用Citespace、VOSviewer和Bibliometrix R-package三个可视化软件进行文献计量与可视化分析。结果与结论:①膝骨关节炎疼痛研究的发文量呈现逐年递增的趋势;②美国、中国、澳大利亚是该领域10年内发文量排名前三的国家;波士顿大学、悉尼大学、弗洛里达大学是发文量前三的科研机构;《OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE》是出版该领域文献最多的期刊,《PAIN》则是该领域被引次数最多的期刊;发文量最多的作者是Fillingim Roger B,该领域的核心作者之间已经建立了一些稳定的团队,但国际性合作尚有欠缺;③膝骨关节炎疼痛患者的日常管理(运动、心理、智能管理)、疼痛的炎症机制、蛋白组学、联合用药、中枢敏化和疼痛调节是膝骨关节炎疼痛研究的重点内容;人工智能辅助、体外冲击波疗法、射频消融术、神经冷冻术、关节腔内注射血液或细胞制剂可能是该领域的研究前沿。

Uncoupling neurotrophic function from nociception of nerve growth factor: what can be learned from a rare human disease?

Nerve growth factor(NGF) is a powerful trophic factor that provides essential support for the survival and differentiation of sympathetic and sensory neurons during development. However, NGF also activates nociceptors contributing significantly to inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain after tissue injury. As such anti-NGF based therapies represent a promising strategy for pain management. Because of dose-dependent serious side effects such as back pain, injection site hyperalgesia, clinical trials of using NGF to treat various disorders such as diabetic neuropathies, chemotherapy-induced and human immunodeficiency virus-associated peripheral neuropathies were all discontinued. Thus far, worldwide clinical applications of NGF in treating patients are very limited except in China. Hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy type V(HSAN V) is an extremely rare disease. Genetic analyses have revealed that HSAN V is associated with autosomal recessive mutations in NGF. One of the mutations occurred at the 100^(th) position of mature NGF resulting in a change of residue from arginine to tryptophan(R100W). Although those HSAN V patients associated with the NGF^(R100W) mutation suffer from severe loss of deep pain, bone fractures and joint destruction, interestingly patients with the NGF^(R100W) mutation do not show apparent cognitive deficits, suggesting important trophic support function is preserved. We believe that NGF^(R100W) provides an ideal tool to uncouple the two important functions of NGF: trophic versus nociceptive. Studies from investigators including ourselves have indeed confirmed in animal testing that the NGF^(R100W) no longer induced pain. More importantly, the trophic function seemed to be largely preserved in NGF harboring the R100W mutation. On the mechanistic level, we found that the NGF^(R100W) mutation was capable of binding to and signaling through the tyrosine receptor kinase A receptor. But its ability to bind to and activate the 75 kDa neurotrophic factor was significantly diminished. The significance of these findings is at least two folds: 1) the NGF^(R100W) mutation can be used as an alternative to the wildtype NGF to treat human conditions without eliciting pain; and 2) the 75 kDa neurotrophic factor may serve as a novel target for pain management. We will discuss all the details in this mini-review.

Does flexible small-diameter colonoscope reduce insertion pain during colonoscopy?

AIM It is well known that colonoscopy can bedifficult due to abdominal pain induced duringcolonoscope insertion,if sedative agents are notgiven.Recently,an extra-flexible,small-diameter colonoscope(CF-SV,Olympus Inc.,Japan)was developed in order to improve safetyand comfort.The aim of this study was toaccess the usefulness of the CF-SV.METHODS One hundred patients undergoingsigmoidoscopy were recruited and colonoscopywas performed by one experiencedcolonoscopist.First,a routine-type colonoscope(CF-2301)was inserted into the colon withoutsedation.When the patient complained ofabdominal pain(even if mild),the scope wasnot advanced further and was withdrawn afterthe anatomic location of its tip was determinedfluoroscopically.Then,the CF-SV was inserteduntil it reached the cecun or the site whereabdominal pain occurred.Previous abdominalsurgery and abdominal disease were consideredas unfavorable factors(UF)and the relationshipbetween abdominal pain and UF,age and genderwere investigated.Furthermore,the colonicinsertion pressures in 36 patients with abdominalpain were measured with a force gauge.RESULTS Thirty-four cases(34%)felt no painwith the CF-2301 and successful pancolon-0scopies to the cecum were performed.Sixty-six cases(66%)complained of abdominal pain.The procedure was painless for 47% of men and24% of women,respectively.The CF-2301 scopefailed to reach the sigmoid-descending colon junctions in 59(89.4%)of the 66 patientscomplaining of abdominal pain.However,CF-SVreached proximal area in 94.9% of those whofailed with CF-2301.The median pressure forpain-inducing was 700 g/cm^2.CONCLUSION Unsedated patients with UFwere prone to complain of pain when thestandard-type CF-2301 scope was used.Thenewly developed extra-flexible CF-SV is usefulfor the aged and for those with UF or being proneto suffer from abdominal pain.Sedative agentsmay be unnecessary if this new type ofcolonoscope is used.

Postnatal roles of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family members in nociceptors plasticity

The neurotrophin and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) family of growth factors have been extensively studied because of their proven ability to regulate development of the peripheral nervous system.The neurotrophin family,which includes nerve growth factor(NGF),NT-3,NT4/5 and BDNF,is also known for its ability to regulate the function of adult sensory neurons.Until recently,little was known concerning the role of the GNDF-family(that includes GDNF,artemin,neurturin and persephin) in adult sensory neuron function.Here we describe recent data that indicates that the GDNF family can regulate sensory neuron function,that some of its members are elevated in inflammatory pain models and that application of these growth factors produces pain in vivo.Finally we discuss how these two families of growth factors may converge on a single membrane receptor,TRPV1,to produce long-lasting hyperalgesia.

中药离子导入联合穴位贴敷对膝骨关节炎患者步态行走及致痛因子表达的影响

目的观察中药离子导入联合穴位贴敷对膝骨关节炎康复效果和步态行走及致痛因子表达的影响。方法将80例膝骨关节炎患者按照随机数字表法分为2组,治疗组40例予中药离子导入联合穴位贴敷治疗,对照组40例予艾瑞昔布片口服。2组均治疗4周。比较2组治疗前后可溶性白细胞介素2受体(sIL-2R)、降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)、可溶性细胞间黏附分子1(sICAM-1)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、骨碱性磷酸酶(BALP)、核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)、甲壳质酶蛋白40(YKL-40)、神经肽Y(NPY)、6-酮前列腺素E_(1α)(6-keto-PGE_(1α))、过氧化脂质(LPO)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平,以及膝关节运动功能Lysholm量表(LKSS)、Berg平衡量表(BBS)、西安大略和麦克马斯特大学(WOMAC)骨关节炎指数、关节炎生活质量测量量表(AIMS2-SF)评分,并统计2组疗效。结果治疗组总有效率95.00%(38/40),对照组总有效率82.50%(33/40),治疗组临床疗效优于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后sICAM-1、sIL-2R、TNF-α水平均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后均低于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后T-AOC、SOD水平均较本组治疗前升高(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后均高于对照组(P<0.05),2组治疗后LPO水平均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后低于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后CGRP、NPY、6-keto-PGE_(1α)水平均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后均低于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后RANKL、YKL-40水平均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后均低于对照组(P<0.05),2组治疗后BALP水平均较本组治疗前升高(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后高于对照组(P<0.05)。2组治疗后BBS、LKSS、AIMS2-SF评分均较本组治疗前升高(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后均高于对照组(P<0.05),2组治疗后WOMAC评分均较本组治疗前降低(P<0.05),且治疗组治疗后低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论中药离子导入联合穴位贴敷治疗膝骨关节炎患者,可改善炎症,减少氧化反应,降低致痛因子水平,改善RANKL、YKL-40、BALP水平,改善膝关节功能及步态行走,提升临床疗效及生活质量。

胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折患者经皮椎体后凸成形术后残留腰背部疼痛的影响因素分析

目的分析胸腰椎骨质疏松性压缩骨折(OVCF)患者经皮椎体后凸成形术(PKP)后残留腰背部疼痛的影响因素。方法选取2019年1月至2022年12月在我院择期行PKP的胸腰椎OVCF患者97例,术后随访1个月,根据是否存在残留腰背部疼痛[视觉模拟评分(VAS)>4分]分为疼痛组(n=15)和无痛组(n=82)。比较两组手术前后VAS评分,收集患者临床资料,分析胸腰椎OVCF患者行PKP后残留腰背部疼痛的影响因素。结果末次随访时97例患者VAS>4分有15例(15.46%),VAS≤4分有82例(84.54%)。术后12 h、1周和1个月两组VAS评分较术前均降低(P<0.05),且术后1周、1个月疼痛组VAS评分显著高于无痛组(P<0.05)。单因素Logistic回归分析显示,体质量指数、筋膜损伤、手术入路方式、单个椎体骨水泥注入量、骨水泥渗漏情况、术后椎体高度恢复率和术前骨密度等均为影响胸腰椎OVCF患者行PKP后残留腰背部疼痛的影响因素(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,有筋膜损伤、有骨水泥渗漏和术前骨密度<-3.10均为影响胸腰椎OVCF患者行PKP后残留腰背部疼痛的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论PKP治疗胸腰椎OVCF仍有部分患者存在残留腰背部疼痛,与筋膜损伤、骨水泥渗漏和术前骨密度<-3.10有关,临床应采取积极有效的针对性措施来降低残留腰背部疼痛发生率,改善预后。