Article

The aims of this study were to determine the course of plasma levels
of inflammatory mediators (interleukin 6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor alpha
[TNF-alpha], soluble TNF receptor 1 [sTNF-R1]) and the severity of low-back pain
(LBP) over 6 to 12 months after an acute episode of LBP in elderly women and to
establish an association between inflammatory mediators and LBP recovery. DESIGN:
This was a longitudinal study of a subsample (155 elderly women with acute LBP,
aged >/=65 years) of the international Back Complaints in the Elders cohort
study. Plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and sTNF-R1 were measured using
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and pain severity using the numerical pain
scale. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the severity of LBP (P = 0.033) and in
the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha (P < 0.001) and an increase in sTNF-R1 (P <
0.001) in the first year after an acute episode of LBP. The probability of
occurrence of pain relief at the 12-month follow-up was 2.22 times higher in
elderly women who had low levels of IL-6 (<1.58 pg/mL) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings showed a relationship between inflammation and LBP by establishing
that low IL-6 plasma levels preceded outcome (LBP recovery), supporting the
concept that proinflammatory cytokines promote pain.

Langue : ANGLAIS