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.

Botulinum toxin type A for treating chronic low back pain:A double blinded randomized control study

BACKGROUND Low back pain(LBP)is a prevalent issue that orthopedic surgeons frequently address in the outpatient setting.LBP can arise from various causes,with stiffness in the paraspinal muscles being a notable contributor.The administration of Botulinum toxin type A(BoNT-A)has been found to alleviate back pain by relaxing these stiff muscles.While BoNT-A is approved for use in numerous conditions,a limited number of randomized clinical trials(RCTs)validate its efficacy specifically for treating LBP.AIM To study the safety and the efficacy of BoNT-A in minimizing pain and improving functional outcomes in patients of chronic LBP(CLBP).METHODS In this RCT,adults aged 18-60 years with mechanical LBP persisting for at least six months were enrolled.Participants were allocated to either the Drug group,receiving 200 Ipsen Units(2 mL)of BoNT-A,or the Control group,which received a 2 mL placebo.Over a 2-month follow-up period,both groups were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS)for pain intensity and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)for disability at the start and conclusion of the study.A decrease in pain by 50%was deemed clinically significant.RESULTS The study followed 40 patients for two months,with 20 in each group.A clinically significant reduction in pain was observed in 36 participants.There was a statistically significant decrease in both VAS and ODI scores in the groups at the end of two months.Nonetheless,when comparing the mean score changes,only the reduction in ODI scores(15 in the placebo group vs 16.5 in the drug group,clinically insignificant)was statistically significant(P=0.012),whereas the change in mean VAS scores was not significant(P=0.45).CONCLUSION The study concludes that BoNT-A does not offer a short-term advantage over placebo in reducing pain or improving LBP scores in CLBP patients.

Efficacy and safety of thermobalancing therapy with Dr Allen’s Device for chronic low back pain:A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Lumbar disc herniation and non-specific low back pain are common conditions that seriously affect patients’health-related quality of life(HRQoL).Although empirical evidence has demonstrated that novel Thermobalancing therapy and Dr Allen’s Device can relieve chronic low back pain,there have been no randomised controlled trials for these indications.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of Dr Allen’s Device in lumbar disc herniation(LDH)and non-specific low back pain(NSLBP).METHODS A randomised clinical trial was conducted investigating 55 patients with chronic low back pain due to LDH(n=28)or NSLBP(n=27),out of which 15 were randomly assigned to the control group and 40 were assigned to the treatment group.The intervention was treatment with Dr Allen’s Device for 3 mo.Changes in HRQoL were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Questionnaire.RESULTS Thermobalancing therapy with Dr Allen’s Device showed a significant reduction in pain in the treatment group(P<0.001),with no recorded adverse effects.Both pain assessment scales showed a significant improvement in patients’perception of pain indicating improvement in HRQoL.CONCLUSION The out-of-hospital use of Thermobalancing therapy with Dr Allen’s Device for Low Back Treatment relieves chronic low back pain significantly and without adverse effects,improves the level of activity and HRQoL among patients with LDH and NSLBP.This study demonstrates the importance of this safe first-line therapy that can be used for effective at-home management of chronic low back pain.

Impact of Multifidus Muscle Morphometry on the Clinical Evolution of Chronic Low Back Pain

Purpose: The multifidus muscle is an important extensor muscle of the lumbar spine. It plays a major role in the stability and realization of axial rotation movements of the thoraco-lumbar spine. Its atrophy by fatty degeneration would be at the origin of the occurrence of chronic low back pain which constitutes a public health problem in Senegal. Taking into account its anatomy is essential for the etiopathogenic analysis and the treatment of low back pain. The purpose of our work was to investigate the impact of multifidus muscle morphometry on the anatomy-clinical evolution of low back pain. Material and method: this was a prospective study over a period of 30 months from November 2019 to May 2022. It involved 100 patients seen in the neurology department of Fann Hospital for chronic low back pain and who had already had a scanner falling within the criteria for low back pain. We used 3D Slicer, SPSS 20, Excel 2016 software to model and analyze the morphometric data of the multifidus muscle after physiotherapy and control lumbar scans. Results: The sex ratio was 2.23. The average age of the patients was 45 ± 7 years. On the initial CT scan, according to the Hadar classification, we noted a predominance of grade 2 with 56% in L5/S1, followed by grade 1 with 32% and grade 3 with 14%. In L4/L5, the majority of patients, 67%, had grade 1. A conflicting circumferential disc bulge with the roots predominating in L5/S1 was present in 94% of men (p-value = 0.02). Before physiotherapy, the average volume of the multifidus was 193 mm3 ± 39, after physiotherapy it was 203 mm3 ± 42 with a progression rate of 5.2%. Clinically, severe type pain had regressed from 86% before physiotherapy to 0% after physiotherapy (p-value = 0.03). Conclusion: Taking into account the morphometry of the multifidus is an essential element in the management of chronic low back pain.

Finding the Needle in the Haystack—An Unusual Case of Astasia-Abasia Following Sacro-Iliac Joint Injection for Chronic Low Back Pain

We present the case of a 60 yrs old male who, following a routine, uneventful, fluoroscopically guided L5/S1 facet joint rhizolysis and sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) injection developed an unexpected inability to stand or walk, a condition known as astasia-abasia. Initial concern had been that this neurological phenomenon was as a result of complications of his chronic pain intervention. Despite an essentially normal neurological examination and dedicated battery of neurological imaging and special testing, no cause was identified. Over a 7-day period of in-patient admission and physical rehabilitation symptoms resolved entirely. In the course of the workup for this episode, it was suggested that the phenomenon was the result of a side effect of dexamfetamine, an agent that had been prescribed for the patient by his neurologist for treatment of his narcolepsy. On the back of this episode, this treatment was discontinued by his neurologist following an outpatient consultation. Subsequent repeated SIJ injections were entirely uneventful and the patient experienced no further occurrences of this phenomenon.

Effect of Verbal Instructions in Pain Assessment during a Passive Straight Leg Raise Test in People with Chronic Low Back Pain

The most prevalent issue in physical therapy is pain. Due to the subjective nature of pain, assessment tools are essential in understanding it as objective data. However, assessment of pain may result in distress for the patient. A physical therapist (PT) should conduct these tests as quickly and accurately as possible. Straightforward instructions are vital in such cases. This study aimed to clarify the effect of verbal instructions for pain assessment during a passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test for participants with chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study included 22 participants who provided informed consent and received three consecutive PSLR tests with measurement of the hip flexion range of motion (HFROM) and were instructed to cease the test at submaximal pain before the first test. Following the second and third tests, participants were given specific verbal instructions to remember pain intensity, quality, and location. After each test, participants were to circle the pain location on the body chart and rate their pain intensity on a numeric rating scale (NRS) and pain quality. All participants were then interviewed about the differences between having and not having specific verbal instructions. The results of HFROM, NRS, and pain extent were not significantly different between the first and second tests or between the second and third tests using a paired t-test. Eleven changes in pain location were found in the second test compared to those in the first test. In the third test, only three participants circled a different area than in the second test. Ten participants showed similar changes with pain location in pain quality in the three PSLR tests. This study revealed the effect of specific verbal instructions prior to PSLR tests. Particularly, participants could notice exact pain location. Our findings may help PT to understand pain cause and reduce patients’ stress during pain assessment in clinical settings.

Intraosseous Radiofrequency Ablation of the Basivertebral Nerve in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose: To review the literature on the value of basivertebral nerve abla-tion in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Materials and Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the English literature to March 2020 was undertaken. The inclusion criteria were patients with discogenic back pain of more than 3 months duration with modic type 1 or 2 change and suc-cessful disc block or discogram. Primary outcomes were VAS pain, ODI, EQ-5D and SF36 improvement. Secondary outcomes were complications. Results: 6 studies were included, all funded by the same company, but oth-erwise of low bias. All studies showed significant improvement in all scores over the first 3 months with evidence these would be maintained over the longer term. There was one reported compression fracture, but otherwise no significant adverse events. Conclusion: This study supports the conclusion that radiofrequency ablation of the basivertebral nerve is a safe and effective treatment for discogenic chronic low back pain.

Thermal Therapy in Patients Suffering from Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain—A Systematic Review

Thermal therapy is frequently used as an adjunct to treatment in patients suffering from chronic low back pain. It is also an inherent part of patients’ self-administered pain treatment. This review aims to update the evidence for thermal therapy treatments in non-specific chronic low back pain patients and to rate the methodological quality of the corresponding clinical trials. Previous studies have reported contradictory evidence for the effectiveness of thermal therapy. An electronic search on MEDLINE (PubMed), PEDro, CENTRAL and CINHAL databases was conducted between May 2016 and February 2018. Clinical trials comparing local thermal therapy to conservative or no treatment were assessed for eligibility. Pain, physical function and global health were defined as outcome parameters. A total of n = 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. All of them applied an electrophysical agent as the thermal treatment: continuous ultrasound (n = 6), short-wave diathermy (n = 2), microwave diathermy (n = 1). Out of the n = 6 studies on ultrasound treatment, n = 2 reported significant within and between-group results for pain reduction after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. Both short-wave diathermy studies demonstrated significant between-group results for pain reduction after 3 weeks of treatment. Contradictory results for all other observed outcome parameters were reported regardless of the intervention. Moreover, significant within-group results for the control groups questioned the effectiveness of the intervention treatments. Therefore, the effect of thermal therapy, (electrophysical agents), is not superior to any control treatment except for ultrasound treatment on short-term pain reduction.

Anxiety and Depression Disorders in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain in Lomé(Togo)

Chronic non-specific low back pain has an important psychological impact. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders (ADD) and factors associated to their apparition in patients suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain in rheumatological consultation in Lomé. Patients and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study, conducted from October 1st, 2015 to 31st March 2016. This study focused on all patients suffering from common chronic low back pain without psychiatric history in the Rheumatology Ward at the Sylvanus Olympio’s Teaching Hospital of Lomé and who have given their consent. The psychological evaluation was carried out through Hamilton scale. The processing, the statistical treatment and analysis of our data have been carried out using Epiinfo software, version 7.1.5. The investigation was approved by the local Ethics Committee. Results: 48 (39 women and 09 men) out of 123 patients with chronic lower back pain presented anxiety and depressive disorders (ADD) accounting for a prevalence rate of 39%. Their average age was 50.3 years old. The most frequent ADD was: psychic anxiety (58.6%), depressive mood (51.3%), difficulties to feel asleep (47.9%) and disturbed or agitated sleep (43.1%). Factors associated with the anxiety and depressive disorders in common chronic low back pain were: female gender (p = 0.02), dependent children (p = 0.02), occupation (reseller (p = 0.002), liberal profession (p = 0.009), monthly financial income (p = 0.002), surroundings family (0.009), medical history (p = 0.0002) and pain’s intensity > 7 (p = 0.04). Conclusion: This study shows the high frequency of anxiety and depressive disorders in common chronic low back pain and their influence by socio-economic and demographic factors.

Treating acute low back pain with acupuncture:A randomized controlled study protocol to compare the effectiveness between distal and local acupoints

Objective:To compare the efficacy of using“distal acupoints only”vs.“local acupoints mainly combined with distal acupoints”in cases of acute low back pain(ALBP).Methods: A total of 102 eligible patients aged 18–65 years with ALBP lasting less than 6 weeks will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the distal acupoints only group(DPOG)and the local acupoints mainly combined with the distal acupoints group(LPMG).During a 4-week treatment period,patients in the DPOG will receive acupuncture at distal acupoints only(Houxi[SI 3]and Yaotongxue[EX-UE 7])twice a week,while those in the LPMG group will receive acupuncture at local acupoints(mainly Shenshu[BL 23]and Dachangshu[BL 25])combined with distal points(Weizhong[BL 40]).The patients in both groups will be evaluated at every session of treatment,and the follow-up will be performed for 3 months.The primary outcome measure will be the change in ALBP intensity,assessed using visual analogue scale scores before and after treatment.The secondary outcome measure will be the evaluation of functional disability using the Oswestry Disability Index.Discussion: This study compares the DPOG and LPMG to explore the feasibility of the DPOG in the treatment of ALBP.

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.

Comparison of Lumbopelvic-Hip Rotation Asymmetry and Pelvic Asymmetry between Individuals with and without Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Background: low back pain affects many individuals, with 80% classified as non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) due to mechanical rather than structural issues. The link between pelvic alignment and lumbopelvic-hip rotation movement for NSLBP is controversial. Methods: twenty males with NSLBP and 20 healthy males participated. Data collected included static pelvic asymmetry and active lumbopelvic-hip rotation with motion capture system for kinematic analysis. Results: Unpaired T test was used to compare the difference of kinematic parameters between two groups. NSLBP group showed significantly larger angles between the ASIS-PSIS line and the z-axis (p Conclusion: Evaluations focusing on bone structure alone may be inadequate. A more comprehensive approach including functional assessments like muscle strength and range of motion could be beneficial. Integrating lumbopelvic-hip movement patterns and pelvic symmetry into clinical assessments should be considered, as they may be influenced by physical activity.

A Study on the Effect of Exercise Intervention on Function and Pain in Patients with Low Back Pain

Lower back pain(LBP)has a relatively high incidence across various age groups,characterized by discomfort in the lumbosacral and iliosacral regions above the gluteal striatum and within the region below the costal margins.Some patients also experience varying degrees of leg pain,with many experiencing prolonged and recurrent symptoms.International consensus confirms that exercise intervention is an effective treatment method for lower back pain,offering safe and efficient physical therapy.Extensive practical experience suggests that Pilates exercises can effectively regulate the strength of muscle tissue in the peripheral region of the spine,improve muscle endurance,and alleviate low back pain caused by muscular factors.This study analyzes the effects of exercise intervention on the function and pain of patients with lower back pain.It explores various exercise modalities,utilizes SPSS26 statistics to gather data,and draws conclusions with the aim of providing theoretical references for exercise interventions in patients with lower back pain.

Diagnosis and pharmacologic management of neuropathic pain among patients with chronic low back pain

Chronic low back pain consists of both nociceptive and neuropathic mechanisms and can be classified as a mixed pain syndrome. Neuropathic component of chronic low back pain has often been under-recognized and under-treated by the physicians. Recent studies have demonstrated that approximately 20%-55% of chronic low back pain patients have neuropathic pain symptoms. An altered peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal processing of pain arising as a result of a lesion affecting the nerves system are the major contributor to neuropathic low back pain. The clinical evaluation is still the gold standard for assessment and diagnosis of neuropathic low back pain. Although diagnosis can be difficult due to the lack of reliable gold standard diagnostic test for neuropathic low back pain, screening tools may help non-specialists, in particular, to identify potential patients with neuropathic low back pain who require further diagnostic evaluation and pain management. Several screening tools for neuropathic pain have been developed and tested with different patient populations. Among the screening tools, the pain DETECT questionnaire and the Standardized Evaluation of Pain are validated in patients with low back pain. The Standardized Evaluation of Pain may lead to more effectivein discriminating between neuropathic and nociceptive pain in patients with low back pain according to the higher rate of sensitivity and its validity in patients with low back pain. However, the most appropriate approach is still to combine findings on physical and neurologic examinations and patient's report in distinguishing neuropathic pain from nociceptive pain. The clinical examination including bedside sensory tests is still the best available tool for assessment and diagnosis neuropathic pain among patients with chronic low back pain. Due to the fact that chronic low back pain consists of both nociceptive and neuropathic mechanisms, a multimodal treatment approach is more rational in the management of patients with chronic low back pain. Therefore, combination therapy including drugs with different mechanisms of action should be given to the patients with chronic low back pain.

Acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain in middle-aged and older patients:A randomized controlled trial

Objective:To observe the specific effects of acupuncture in middle-aged and older patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain(CNSLBP).Methods:Sixty-six patients with CNSLBP were randomized into the acupuncture or sham acupuncture groups(n=33).In the acupuncture group,penetrating acupuncture with a long needle was delivered at Ashi points(painful/sensitive points),and the needles were manipulated by rotating technique after deqi till patients felt distending pain.The needles were retained in place for 30 min.Acupuncture was given three times per week for 4 weeks.In the sham acupuncture group,shallow needling was performed at non-meridian,non-acupoint,non-painful,and non-sensitive points.The needle retention and duration of treatment were the same as those of the acupuncture group before treatment,after the first intervention,after the whole treatment,and in follow-up visit(4 weeks after the whole treatment).The scores of the visual analog scale(VAS)for pain,range of movement(ROM)of the spine,and simplified Oswestry Dysfunction Index(ODI)were observed separately.Results:Compared to the outcomes before treatment,the VAS score,spinal ROM,and simplified ODI score were lower after the first intervention,after treatment,and in follow-up visits in the acupuncture group,indicating the statistical significance(P<0.05).When compared with the sham acupuncture group,the VAS score,spinal ROM,and simplified ODI score were significantly lower in the acupuncture group after the first intervention,after treatment,and in follow-up visit(P<0.05).The total effective rate was 90.9%in the acupuncture group,which was significantly higher than that(75.76%)in the sham acupuncturegroup(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture has a specific effect on CNSLBP in middle-aged and older patients and a superior effect on immediate analgesia.

Influence of muscle regions of meridians needling method combined with auricular point sticking on pain and range of motion in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain

Objective:To observe the effects of muscle regions of meridians needling method combined with auricular point sticking on pain and lumbar range of motion in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.Methods:A total of 100 patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 50 patients in each group.Both groups received auricular point sticking treatment,while the control group received additional conventional acupuncture treatment,and the observation group received additional muscle regions of meridians needling method.The total effective rate of the two groups was compared after 4 weeks of treatment.Before treatment and after 1 week and 4 weeks of treatment,the visual analog scale(VAS)score was used to assess the degree of low back pain,and the modified-modified Schober(MMS)score was used to evaluate the lumbar range of motion.Results:There was statistical significance in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups(P<0.01).During the treatment process,as the number of treatments increased,the VAS score gradually decreased,and the MMS score gradually increased in both groups.After 1 week and 4 weeks of treatment,the VAS score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01),and the MMS score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.01).During the treatment period,no serious adverse reactions occurred in either group.Conclusion:Based on auricular point sticking treatment,muscle regions of meridians needling method is more effective than conventional acupuncture in treating chronic nonspecific low back pain since it is able to significantly reduce the pain and improve the lumbar range of motion.

Genetic Evidence for Causal Association Between Hypertension and Chronic Pain:A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Objective The extent to which the association between hypertension and chronic pain in observational studies is either causally linked or influenced by other shared risk factors has not been substantially addressed.In the present study,Mendelian randomization(MR)was employed to examine the potential causal relationship between hypertension and risk of chronic pain.Methods The study data were derived from the pooled dataset of the genome-wide association study(GWAS),enabling the evaluation of the causal effects of hypertension on various types of chronic pain including chronic headache as well as chest,abdominal,joint,back,limb,and multisite chronic pain.We performed a bidirectional two-sample MR analysis using random effect inverse variance weighting(IVW),MR-Egger,weighted median,and weighted mode,quantified by odds ratio(OR).Results Genetically predicted essential hypertension was associated with an increased risk of chronic headache(OR=1.007,95%CI:1.003-1.011,P=0.002)and limb pain(OR=1.219,95%CI:1.033-1.439,P=0.019).No potential causal associations were identified between chronic pain and essential hypertension in the reverse direction MR(P>0.05).In addition,there was no potential causal association between secondary hypertension and chronic pain(P>0.05).Conclusion This study provided genetic evidence that a unidirectional causal relationship exists between essential hypertension and the increased risks of chronic headache and limb pain,and no causal relationship was found between secondary hypertension and chronic pain.These findings offer theoretical underpinnings for future research on managing hypertension and chronic pain.

Clinical efficacy of magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy in the treatment of chronic prostatitischronic pelvic pain syndrome

BACKGROUND The prominent symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CPPS)are urogenital pain,lower urinary tract symptoms,psychological problems,and sexual dysfunction.Traditional pharmacological treatments have poor efficacy and more untoward reaction and complications.Magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy is a non-invasive form of physiotherapy.Nevertheless,its effectiveness in improving urinary discomfort and relieving pain in patients requires further exploration.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of the magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy instrument in the treatment of chronic prostatitis(CP)/CPPS.METHODS Seventy patients with CP/CPPS were collected from the outpatient clinic and ward of the Department of Male Medicine,Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,and were treated with magnetic vibration magnetoelectric therapy once a day for a period of 14 d.National Institutes of healthchronic prostatitis symptom index(NIH-CPSI),international index of erectile function 5(IIEF-5),premature ejaculation diagnostic tool(PEDT),generalized anxiety disorder(GAD),patient health questionnaire,the pain catastrophizing scale(PCS)and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome(TCMS)scores were performed before and after treatment.RESULTS The total effective rate of treatment was 58.5%,and the total NIH-CPSI score,pain symptoms,voiding symptoms,quality of life,IIEF-5,PEDT,GAD,PCS and TCMS scores all decreased significantly(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Magnetic vibration magnetotherapy is effective in improving urinary discomfort,relieving pain,improving quality of life,improving sexual dysfunction and relieving negative emotions such as anxiety in patients with CP/CPPS.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Outpatient Pain Management in the Chronic Setting: A Case Report

Background: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), previously known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy and causalgia, is a neuropathic pain condition that usually develops after an injury to an extremity. CRPS can be a debilitating condition with high levels of pain and reduced function. Aim: This case report aims to discuss the multimodal approach in the management of a patient who presented with ongoing poorly controlled pain secondary to CRPS from an injury that happened years prior. Case Presentation: A 45-year-old female was involved in a motor vehicle accident where her right leg was injured. She underwent several surgeries and developed CRPS that significantly reduced her mobility and quality of life. She presented to the pain clinic years after her initial injury and a multimodal regimen was started for her resulting in significantly improved function. Conclusion: CRPS can be a severely debilitating condition. While early diagnosis and management are important, ongoing management in the outpatient chronic pain setting is important in maintaining a good level of function.

Satellite glial cells in sensory ganglia play a wider role in chronic pain via multiple mechanisms

Satellite glial cells are unique glial cells that surround the cell body of primary sensory neurons.An increasing body of evidence suggests that in the presence of inflammation and nerve damage,a significant number of satellite glial cells become activated,thus triggering a series of functional changes.This suggests that satellite glial cells are closely related to the occurrence of chronic pain.In this review,we first summarize the morphological structure,molecular markers,and physiological functions of satellite glial cells.Then,we clarify the multiple key roles of satellite glial cells in chronic pain,including gap junction hemichannel Cx43,membrane channel Pannexin1,K channel subunit 4.1,ATP,purinergic P2 receptors,and a series of additional factors and their receptors,including tumor necrosis factor,glutamate,endothelin,and bradykinin.Finally,we propose that future research should focus on the specific sorting of satellite glial cells,and identify genomic differences between physiological and pathological conditions.This review provides an important perspective for clarifying mechanisms underlying the peripheral regulation of chronic pain and will facilitate the formulation of new treatment plans for chronic pain.