Embargoed until 17-Oct-2000
DEADLY TOXIN SHOWN SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN TREATING CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN
SAN FRANCISCO -- The same deadly toxin that is often associated with botulism food poisoning can, in very low doses, safely bring enduring relief to patients suffering from chronic low back pain, researchers at Louisiana State University's (LSU) Health Sciences Center in Shreveport reported today at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Injected into a localized area and in extremely low concentrations, the potent toxin botulinum A blunts the nerve endings responsible for muscle spasms. For patients receiving treatment at the LSU Pain Management Service, researchers found that this therapy significantly decreased patients' muscle pain, increased their range of motion and improved their ability to perform routine activities such as washing and dressing.
The medication derived from botulinum has been used for several years to treat writer's cramp, tremors, eye muscle problems and other conditions marked by muscle spasms. The medication is used by some plastic surgeons to minimize wrinkles as well.
"Pain management specialists also reported success with botulinum for chronic low back pain, but few clinical studies have been done," Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology Randall C. Cork, M.D., Ph.D., said.
The LSU study included 19 patients, nine of whom received two injections of botulinum toxin into both sides of the lower back and 10 patients who had not received treatment for their back problems.
All patients completed questionnaires regarding the intensity of their pain and the impact of that discomfort on their ability to function. The researchers also rated range of motion and severity of muscle spasms in the experimental group before treatment.
The group receiving botulinum reported significant reductions in pain, improvements in their ability to function and fewer muscle spasms. The other group reported an increase in pain and no improvement in muscle spasms.
"Unlike acute back pain, which tends to resolve on its own, chronic back pain tends to worsen over time due to a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle of muscle spasms," Dr. Cork said. "This study shows botulinum effectively breaks that cycle."
Botulinum injections begin working in two to three days, but their effects can last for months, Dr. Cork said. One drawback is the medication's tendency to become less and less effective with repeated injections as the body builds up antibodies to the toxin. "But most patients never need another injection," he said. Anesthesiologists at the LSU pain service may administer up to three injections for patients whose pain persists. This technique also shows promise in the treatment of neck and shoulder pain and other conditions marked by muscle spasms, Dr. Cork said.
#
This news release is protected by copyright. American Society of Anesthesiologists attribution is required.Copyright (c) 2000American Society of AnesthesiologistsAll Rights Reserved
This research will be presented at the 2000 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting in San Francisco, California, on October 14-18. During the annual meeting, you can reach communications staff members between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the ASA press room at the Moscone Center, Room 228, telephone: (415) 978-3710. ASA staff members will be on hand to assist you in scheduling interviews, locating individuals and providing general background information.
Most of the news releases are embargoed until their presentation date. If you cannot attend the meeting, members of the ASA communications department can assist you in arranging interviews with the presenters prior to the meeting.
For further information prior to the annual meeting, please contact the ASA Executive Office, 520 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068-2573, or call (847) 825-5586. We are also available by e-mail: [email protected].
Copies of the ASA annual meeting program book program as well as the scientific abstracts and refresher course outlines will be available in the press room.
For more information about ASA, the 1999 Annual Meeting and the medical specialty of anesthesiology, visit our World Wide Web site: http://www.ASAhq.org
###
RSS