L’use of opioids for low back pain it is increasingly the focus of international studies, also given the concern for the numerous cases of addiction. Experts are wondering whether opioids are useless for this type of back pain. An answer comes from Australian research by the University of Sydney, according to which they have the same effectiveness as a placebo, but with many side effects.
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Low back pain: the numbers in Italy, millions of compatriots involved
In Italy alone, several million people suffer from this pain that affects the lower back every year. It is estimated that 90% of the general population is affected at least once in their lifetime. Il backache in general it affects up to 15,000,000 Italians every year. Low back pain affects at least ten million. It is the first cause of absence from work. A recent one meta analysis had indicated which are the best drugs to deal with low back pain, however indicating that physical activity is absolutely necessary.
UI know about opiates for low back pain: Australian research
The researchers working at the Australian university analyzed the data of about 350 people with an average age of almost 45 years. All suffered from low back pain or neck pain, or both. Experts divided them into two groups. The former took opiates, in particular oxycodone and naxolone, the latter a placebo. The therapy lasted up to six consecutive weeks. You can read the results of this study in the prestigious scientific journal The Lancet.
The researchers measured the pain intensity of each trial participant and that at the end of the treatment. Experts have used the Brief Pain Inventory Pain Severity Subscalea scale from 0 to 10, used to understand the intensity of pain.
UI know of opioids for low back pain that are as effective as a placebo
The analysis of these data led the working group to state that there were no differences in the improvement of quality of life between the two groups. But there’s more. The placebo group had a small but significant improvement in mental health.
Opioids do not target the causes of back pain
The study found that although opioids are used as pain relievers, recent studies have shown that they are not effective for back and neck pain. This happens mainly because this category of drugs targets the perception of pain and not its cause. In practice they inhibit the receptors of the brain, blocking the perception of pain. Inflammation or physical damage continues to take its toll.
The problem of opioid drug addiction
In addition, the body can develop a tolerance to opiates over time. The consequence is that large doses are taken to have the same effect. This can lead to serious side effects and potentially even opioid addiction with a very negative impact on the health of the user.
The limitations of the study on the use of opioids for low back pain
According to some experts, however, the study has limitations, some even important. First of all, to know the sensation of pain, the evaluation was made directly by the participants, therefore subjective and not objective.
Another limitation is that theplacebo effect and not another treatment. The placebo effect is defined as the reaction of a person who experiences an improvement following a drug treatment, even when these are not due to it. The mechanism underlying this effect is psychological and is mainly linked to the expectations that the patient places in treatments or drugs. The patient has improvements even when he has not been given any treatment or drug. The term “placebo” indicates a substance without pharmacological effects.