Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is defined as pain that persists longer than 12 weeks and is often attributed to degenerative or traumatic conditions of the spine. Failed back surgery syndrome is a condition in which chronic pain persists after spinal surgery. Electrodiagnostic studies can be used to confirm the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy, but other diagnostic methods are often needed to assess sympathetic nervous system dysfunction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the affection of sympathetic skin response (SSR) in cases of chronic low back pain (LBP) and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and to assess the association of SSR abnormalities with perceived functional disability and pain among these patients.

Methodology: Twenty patients with CLBP and 10 patients with failed FBSS who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited to the present study. All cases had back, leg, or back and leg pain of at least 3-month duration or following spinal surgery. The control group consists of 10 healthy participants matched in age and sex. Electrophysiologic nerve conduction studies and SSR recording were applied on the symptomatic and normal side in study cases and on both sides in the control group. Pain intensity was analyzed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and perceived functional disability was assessed with the Oswestry disability index (ODI).

Conclusions: It was concluded that the sympathetic nervous system is affected in CLBP and FBSS patients with abnormalities in SSR and that the dysfunction of sympathetic nervous system may contribute to the intensity and chronicity of pain in these groups of patients. Moreover, a strong association was found between SSR and functional disabilities in these patients.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000250DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

chronic low
12
low pain
12
failed surgery
12
surgery syndrome
12
sympathetic nervous
12
nervous system
12
pain
9
pain persists
8
spinal surgery
8
association ssr
8

Similar Publications

Essential Thrombocythemia: A Review.

JAMA

January 2025

CRIMM, Center Research and Innovation of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy.

Importance: Essential thrombocythemia, a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm with excessive platelet production, is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and bleeding. The annual incidence rate of essential thrombocythemia in the US is 1.5/100 000 persons.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is prevalent worldwide and is difficult to eradicate. Current treatment strategies for chronic hepatitis B ultimately seek to achieve functional cure (FC); however, the factors contributing to FC remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the gut microbiota profiles of patients with chronic hepatitis B who achieved FC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Fast, Present and Future of the Concept of Spondyloarthritis.

Curr Rheumatol Rep

January 2025

Rheumatologisches Versorgungszentrum Steglitz, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Schloßstr.110, 12163, Berlin, Germany.

Purpose Of Review: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a rather prevalent chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects already relatively young patients. It has been known better since the end of the nineteenth century but quite a lot has been learned since the early 60ies when the first classification (diagnostic) criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were agreed on. I have been part of many developments in the last 30 years, and I'm happy to have been able to contribute to the scientific progress in terms of diagnosis, imaging, pathophysiology and therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Narrative review of long-standing groin pain in athletes. Retrospective analysis of over 12 000 patients.

Hernia

January 2025

Centro de Patología Herniaria Argentina, Cerviño 4449, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Purpose: This article critically examines long-standing groin pain (LSGP) in physically active adults related to sports overload by analyzing terminology, pathophysiology, and treatment.

Method: This review is based on data from over 10,000 patients managed through a multidisciplinary algorithm. (LSGP) has been variably labeled, using terms that have led to inconsistencies in understanding its origin and management.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Outcomes of electrical injuries in the emergency department: epidemiology, severity predictors, and chronic sequelae.

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg

January 2025

Emergency Department, Habib bourguiba university hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Sfax University, Majida Boulila Avenue, Sfax, Tunisia.

Introduction: Electrical injuries (EIs) represent a significant clinical challenge due to their complex pathophysiology and variable presentation, ranging from minor burns to severe internal organ damage. Despite their prevalence in both; domestic and occupational settings, there remains a rareness of systematic guidelines and comprehensive literature to aid clinicians in effectively managing these injuries. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing protocols that can mitigate the risk of delayed complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, in patients who initially appear stable.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!