Objectives. To compare the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal clonidine and fentanyl added to bupivacaine after cesarean section. Methods. Ninety patients scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the three following groups to receive bupivacaine 10 mg combined with 75 µg clonidine (group C), bupivacaine 10 mg combined with 0.5 mL fentanyl (group F), and bupivacaine 10 mg combined with 0.5 mL distilled water (group P), intrathecally. The time to first analgesic request, analgesic requirement in the first 24 hours after surgery, sensory and motor blockade onset time, duration of sensory and motor blockade, the incidence of hypotension, ephedrine requirements, bradycardia, and hypoxemia were recorded. Results. The duration of anesthesia in clonidine group (275.10 ± 96.09) was longer compared to the placebo (211.73 ± 74.80) and fentanyl (192.33 ± 30.36) groups. This difference between group C versus F (P = 0.006) and P groups (P < 0.001) was significant. Similarly, the mean time to first analgesic request was also longer in group C (519.44 ± 86.25) than in groups F (277.88 ± 94.25) and P (235.43 ± 22.35 min). This difference between group C versus F (P < 0.001) and P groups (P < 0.001) was significant. Conclusion. Intrathecal clonidine 75 µg with bupivacaine prolonged the time to first analgesic request compared to fentanyl; however, the total analgesic consumption within the first 24 h postoperative was similar in fentanyl and clonidine groups following cesarean section. This trial is registered with ACTRN12611000909921 and ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01425658.

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ObjectivesLow back pain (LBP) is a common medical problem worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between serum concentration of 25-hydroxivitamin D3 and functional disability in patients suffering from LBP in a sample of Azeri middle-aged subjects, North West of Iran.ResultsIn this case–control study, 63 eligible patients with LBP and 55 healthy subjects enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood was taken for evaluating the serum concentration of 25-hydroxivitamin D3. We recognized factors related with LBP by multiple regression analyses. The average serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentration in case group was significantly lower than that of the matched controlled group (26.25 ± 15.95 vs. 34.20 ± 14.92, p-value < 0.01 respectively). Subjects with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were more likely to exhibit LBP than subjects with normal serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentration [(OR = 2.388, 95% CI (1.114 to 5.119)]. According to the partial correlation analysis, there was a reverse correlation between serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentration with functional disability measured by Modified Oswestry Questionnaire (r = − 0.307, p = 0.017) and also with pain intensity according to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (r = − 0.268, p = 0.040) whilst adjusting for age, sex and body mass index (BMI).

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is a common medical problem worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between serum levels of 25-hydroxivitamin D3 and functional disability in patients suffering from LBP in a sample of Azeri middle-aged subjects, North West of Iran. Results: In this case-control study, 63 eligible patients with LBP and 55 healthy subjects enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood was taken for evaluating the serum Level of 25-hydroxivitamin D3. We recognized factors related with LBP by multiple regression analyses. The average plasma level of vitamin D in case group was significantly lower than that of the matched controlled group (26.25±15.95 vs. 34.20±14.92, p-value < 0.01 respectively). Subjects with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were more likely to exhibit LBP than subjects with normal vitamin D level [(OR= 2.388, 95% CI (1.114 to 5.119)]. According to the partial correlation analysis, there was a reverse correlation between plasma level of vitamin D with functional disability measured by Modified Oswestry Questionnaire (r = -.307, p = .017) and also with pain intensity according to Visual analogue Scale (VAS) score (r = -.268, p = .040) whilst controlling for age, sex and body mass index (BMI).

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is a common medical problem worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between serum concentration of 25-hydroxivitamin D3 and functional disability in patients suffering from LBP in a sample of Azeri middle-aged subjects, North West of Iran . Results: In this case-control study, 63 eligible patients with LBP and 55 healthy subjects enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood was taken for evaluating the serum concentration of 25-hydroxivitamin D3. We recognized factors related with LBP by multiple regression analyses. The average serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentration in case group was significantly lower than that of the matched controlled group (26.25±15.95 vs. 34.20±14.92, p-value < 0.01 respectively). Subjects with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were more likely to exhibit LBP than subjects with normal serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentration [(OR= 2.388, 95% CI (1.114 to 5.119)]. According to the partial correlation analysis, there was a reverse correlation between serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentration with functional disability measured by Modified Oswestry Questionnaire (r = -.307, p = .017) and also with pain intensity according to Visual analogue Scale (VAS) score (r = -.268, p = .040) whilst adjusting for age, sex and body mass index (BMI).