Biologic Drugs as Analgesics for the Management of Low Back Pain and Sciatica

Author:

Dimitroulas Theodoros12,Lambe Tosin3,Raphael Jon H4,Kitas George D15,Duarte Rui V3

Affiliation:

1. Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK

2. Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

3. Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

4. Department of Pain Medicine, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK

5. Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Abstract

Abstract Objective To discuss the current knowledge on the impact of commonly used biologic agents (i.e., anti–tumor necrosis factor–alpha [anti-TNF-α] and anti–nerve growth factor [anti-NGF]) in the management of low back pain with or without sciatica. Methods A narrative literature review of studies investigating the use of biologic agents for the management of low back pain and sciatica was conducted. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for English language publications. A hand-search of reference lists of relevant studies was also performed. Results Although some observational studies showed that inhibition of TNF-α reduced pain and improved function, randomized controlled trials and a meta-analysis failed to demonstrate the superiority of anti-TNF-α over placebo in this regard. Anti-TNF-α, however, reduced the risk of having invasive procedures such as discectomy and radicular block in cases of sciatica. Conversely, controlled studies showed moderate pain reduction and mild functional improvement with anti-NGF administration, but the side effect profile of anti-NGF was unfavorable compared with placebo. Conclusions Overall, anticytokine treatments have limited efficacy in patients with chronic low back pain with or without sciatica. However, larger and better-designed studies may need to be performed in specific patient subpopulations. Low back pain is particularly disabling in younger patients. This group therefore represents a potential target population for investigating the effectiveness of anticytokine therapies, especially where other pharmacological and nonpharmacological management strategies have failed.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine,Neurology (clinical),General Medicine

Reference55 articles.

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