BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly illness. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study tested the hypothesis that periradicular injections of meloxicam would reduce LBP and improve physical activity compared to a saline injection at 3 months follow-up. METHODS: After IRB approval, 80 consenting patients suffering LBP of <6 months duration were randomly assigned to the Control (C-group, n=40, receiving 10ml of saline) or the Meloxicam (M- group, n=40, receiving 10 mg in 10 ml saline). If the pain numeric rating score (NRS) at 24hours remained >50% of the pre-treatment score, the patient was crossed-over to the other group. A successful treatment was NRS <3 at 3 months follow-up. Secondary outcome measures which were assessed included work-absence, physical-assistance, physical-activities limitations and pain-related insomnia. RESULTS: The baseline NRS was 9.3 (95% CI 8.9-9.7) in the C-group and 9.2 (95% CI 8.8-9.6) in the M-group. At the 24hours follow-up after the initial treatment, the mean NRS was 6.3 (95% CI 5.4- 7.2) in the C-group vs 3.5 (95% CI 2.6-4.4) in the M-group (p<0.05). The number of cross-over cases was significantly higher in the C-group (n= 31, 77.5% vs. n=5, 12.5%, p<0.001). At the 3months follow- up, 66 patients (35+31) were allocated in the M-group and 54 (82%) reported NRS score <3, while only 14 (9+5) patients remained in the C-group and 8 patients had NRS <3. CONCLUSIONS: Periradicular injection of meloxicam is an effective analgesic treatment for acute/subacute LBP. This novel use of meloxicam also leads to an improvement in the level of physical activity at the 3months follow-up.

Borghi, B., Aurini, L., White, P.F., Tognù, A., Rossi, B., Fini, G., et al. (2018). Treatment of recent onset low back pain with periradicular injections of meloxicam: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled cross-over study. MINERVA ANESTESIOLOGICA, 84, 590-598 [10.23736/S0375-9393.18.12221-8].

Treatment of recent onset low back pain with periradicular injections of meloxicam: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled cross-over study

Borghi, Battista;Aurini, Lucia;Rossi, Barbara;Rucci, Paola;Greggi, Tiziana;Borghi, Raffaele
2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly illness. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study tested the hypothesis that periradicular injections of meloxicam would reduce LBP and improve physical activity compared to a saline injection at 3 months follow-up. METHODS: After IRB approval, 80 consenting patients suffering LBP of <6 months duration were randomly assigned to the Control (C-group, n=40, receiving 10ml of saline) or the Meloxicam (M- group, n=40, receiving 10 mg in 10 ml saline). If the pain numeric rating score (NRS) at 24hours remained >50% of the pre-treatment score, the patient was crossed-over to the other group. A successful treatment was NRS <3 at 3 months follow-up. Secondary outcome measures which were assessed included work-absence, physical-assistance, physical-activities limitations and pain-related insomnia. RESULTS: The baseline NRS was 9.3 (95% CI 8.9-9.7) in the C-group and 9.2 (95% CI 8.8-9.6) in the M-group. At the 24hours follow-up after the initial treatment, the mean NRS was 6.3 (95% CI 5.4- 7.2) in the C-group vs 3.5 (95% CI 2.6-4.4) in the M-group (p<0.05). The number of cross-over cases was significantly higher in the C-group (n= 31, 77.5% vs. n=5, 12.5%, p<0.001). At the 3months follow- up, 66 patients (35+31) were allocated in the M-group and 54 (82%) reported NRS score <3, while only 14 (9+5) patients remained in the C-group and 8 patients had NRS <3. CONCLUSIONS: Periradicular injection of meloxicam is an effective analgesic treatment for acute/subacute LBP. This novel use of meloxicam also leads to an improvement in the level of physical activity at the 3months follow-up.
2018
Borghi, B., Aurini, L., White, P.F., Tognù, A., Rossi, B., Fini, G., et al. (2018). Treatment of recent onset low back pain with periradicular injections of meloxicam: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled cross-over study. MINERVA ANESTESIOLOGICA, 84, 590-598 [10.23736/S0375-9393.18.12221-8].
Borghi, Battista; Aurini, Lucia; White, Paul F; Tognù, Andrea; Rossi, Barbara; Fini, Greta; Rucci, Paola; Greggi, Tiziana; Borghi, Raffaele...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/676917
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