Does Metabolic Syndrome Determine Severity and Disability of Chronic Low Backache?

Abstract

Introduction:Obesity may be associated with more severe and disabling low backache (LBA) due to alteration in biomechanics, but there are no such studies from developing countries.Aims:We report the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS) in chronic LBA (CLBA) and its association with severity and disability of CLBA.Subjects and Methods:Consecutive patients with CLBA attending to the neurology service from October 2015 to February 2016 were included in the study. Clinical and demographic parameters were recorded. Routine biochemical test was done. The severity of pain was assessed by a 0–10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and disability by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) version 2. Comparison of variables was done by Chi-square or independent t-test and correlation by Karl Pearson or Spearman's rank correlation test.Results:Seventy-none (39.3%) patients had MS as per the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) criteria and 68 (33.8%) as per the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Abdominal obesity was the most common (171 [85.1%]) feature of MS. The patients with MS had longer duration of sitting work and did less frequently exercise. The NRS score (6.95 ± 1.06 vs. 6.65 ± 0.95; P = 0.04) and ODI score (54.91 ± 8.42 vs. 51.89 ± 8.54; P = 0.01) were higher in CLBA patients with MS compared to those without MS.Conclusion:About 40% patients with CLBA have metabolic syndrome, and they have more severe pain and disability.

Chronic disease clusters are associated with prolonged, bothersome, and multisite musculoskeletal pain: a population-based study on Northern Finns

“…This is an important finding as it confronts the long-standing view that the worst mental health disorders accompany the worst pain [ 38 , 54 , 55 ]. Overall, our findings are consistent with prior studies showing that individuals with persistent MSK pain and metabolic syndrome (characterized by a combination of cardiovascular risk factors) experience higher pain intensity and disability, relative to counterparts with MSK pain only [ 67 , 68 ]. Yet the present study is among the first to show that accumulated metabolic diseases co-exist with the worst MSK pain.…”

Physiological Changes and Pathological Pain Associated with Sedentary Lifestyle-Induced Body Systems Fat Accumulation and Their Modulation by Physical Exercise

“…MetS was also significantly associated with low back pain among women only [433,434]. About 40% patients with chronic low backache have metabolic syndrome, and they have more severe pain and disability [435]. Chronic pain due to osteoarthritis in both knees were reported in patients with metabolically healthy obesity [436].…”

Can whole body vibration exercises promote improvement on quality of life and on chronic pain level of metabolic syndrome patients? A pseudorandomized crossover study

“…Interventional studies evaluating lifestyle changes of MSy individuals have shown significant improvements in QoL (22,24,31,49,53). Malhotra et al (35) studied the lifestyle-related factors associated with MSy and their impact on functioning and QoL in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.…”

“…Commonly used NRS are 11 point (0 -10), 21 point (0 -20), and 101 point (0 -100) (60). Over 50% of subjects rated their pain in multiples of 10 (equivalent to an 11-point scale), and, according Kalita et al (22), the NRS score classifies the pain as severe (7-10), moderate (4 -6), mild (1-3), and no pain (0).…”