HSE Library Blog

Low Back Pain Linked to Bacterial Infection

New research from Spine Centre of Southern Denmark, has indicated that Modic type 1 changes/bone edema in the vertebrae are present in 6 % of the general population and 35-40 % of the low back pain population.  As it is strongly associated with low back pain investigators have concluded that antibiotics maybe considered as a treatment option for chronic lower back pain.  However the findings come with a caution as long term prescribing of antibiotics could increase drug resistance across the population.  There is also some debate among specialists of spinal chord injury. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23404353
Some Links…..

Guardian Newspaper (UK) http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/may/07/antibiotics-cure-back-pain-patients

Telegraph Newspaper (UK) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10042211/Antibiotics-could-cure-40pc-of-chronic-back-pain-patients.html

The Globe and Mail Newspaper (CA)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/caution-urged-on-antibiotic-cure-to-back-pain/article11832658/

SKY http://news.sky.com/story/1088460/antibiotics-can-cure-back-pain-study-finds

BMJ Blog (scroll down the web page) http://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/feed/

BMC Medicine - Rest versus exercise as treatment for patients with low back pain and Modic changes.  RCT http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/10/22
Clinical Trials (US) http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00454792