Using self-reports of pain and other variables to distinguish between older women with back pain due to vertebral fractures and those with back pain due to degenerative changes

The main symptom in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is inflammatory back pain, caused principally by inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and the spine. However, not all back pain in patients with axSpA is related to active inflammation: other types of pain can occur in these patients, and may be related to structural damage (e.g. ankylosis), degenerative changes, vertebral fractures or comorbid fibromyalgia, which are not uncommon in these patients. Structural damage and ankylosis may lead to a biomechanical stress, which can lead to chronic mechanical pain; and degenerative changes of the spine may also exist in patients with axSpA also leading to mechanical pain. Osteoporosis is more prevalent in axSpA patients than in the general population, and vertebral fractures may result in acute bone pain, which can persist for several months. Fibromyalgia, which is also more prevalent in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (including axSpA), presents with widespread pain which can mimic entheseal pain. A correct diagnosis of the origin of the pain is crucial, since treatments and management may differ considerably. Recognizing these causes of pain may be a challenge in clinical practice, especially for fibromyalgia, which can coexist with axSpA and may have a significant impact on biologic drug response. In this review, we provide an update of the most common causes of pain other than inflammatory back pain in axSpA patients, and we discuss the latest management options for such causes.

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An observational cohort study to produce and evaluate an improved tool to screen older women with back pain for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (Vfrac): study protocol

Archives of Osteoporosis ◽

10.1007/s11657-019-0558-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

T. K. Khera ◽

A. Burston ◽

S. Davis ◽

S. Drew ◽

R. Gooberman-Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Back Pain ◽

Older Women ◽

Vertebral Fractures ◽

Screening Tool ◽

Observational Cohort Study ◽

Binary Output ◽

Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures ◽

Observational Cohort

Abstract Summary The aim of this study is to produce an easy to use checklist for general practitioners to complete whenever a woman aged over 65 years with back pain seeks healthcare. This checklist will produce a binary output to determine if the patient should have a radiograph to diagnose vertebral fracture. Purpose People with osteoporotic vertebral fractures are important to be identified as they are at relatively high risk of further fractures. Despite this, less than a third of people with osteoporotic vertebral fractures come to clinical attention due to various reasons including lack of clear triggers to identify who should have diagnostic spinal radiographs. This study aims to produce and evaluate a novel screening tool (Vfrac) for use in older women presenting with back pain in primary care based on clinical triggers and predictors identified previously. This tool will generate a binary output to determine if a radiograph is required. Methods The Vfrac study is a two-site, pragmatic, observational cohort study recruiting 1633 women aged over 65 years with self-reported back pain. Participants will be recruited from primary care in two sites. The Vfrac study will use data from two self-completed questionnaires, a simple physical examination, a lateral thoracic and lateral lumbar radiograph and information contained in medical records. Results The primary objective is to develop an easy-to-use clinical screening tool for identifying older women who are likely to have vertebral fractures. Conclusions This article describes the protocol of the Vfrac study; ISRCTN16550671.

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