Is lumbar facet joint tropism developmental or secondary to degeneration? An international, large-scale multicenter study by the AOSpine Asia Pacific Research Collaboration Consortium

published_or_final_versio

Critical values of facet joint angulation and tropism in the development of lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis: an international, large-scale multicenter study by the AOSpine Asia Pacific Research Collaboration Consortium

published_or_final_versio

Predictive Factors and Clinical Biomarkers for Treatment in Patients with Chronic Pain Caused by Osteoarthritis with a Central Sensitisation Component

Aims The aim of this non‐systematic review was to provide a practical guide for clinicians on the evidence for central sensitisation in chronic osteoarthritis (OA) pain and how this pain mechanism can be addressed in terms of clinical diagnosis, investigation and treatment. Methods The authors undertook a non‐systematic review of the literature including a MEDLINE search (search terms included central sensitisation, osteoarthritis, osteoarthrosis) for relevant and current clinical studies, systematic reviews and narrative reviews. Case reports, letters to the editor and similar literature sources were excluded. Information was organised to allow a pragmatic approach to the discussion of the evidence and generation of practical recommendations. Results There is good evidence for a role of central sensitisation in chronic OA pain in a subgroup of patients. Clinically, a central sensitisation component in chronic OA pain can be suspected based on characteristic pain features and non‐pain features seen in other conditions involving central sensitisation. However, there are currently no diagnostic inventories for central sensitisation specific to OA. Biomarkers may be helpful for confirming the presence of central sensitisation, especially when there is diagnostic uncertainty. Several non‐pharmacological and pharmacological treatments may be effective in OA patients with central sensitisation features. Multimodal therapy may be required to achieve control of symptoms. Discussion Clinicians should be aware of central sensitisation in patients with chronic OA pain, especially in patients presenting with severe pain with unusual features.PubMedWo

Monoclonal Antibodies For Chronic Pain: A Practical Review Of Mechanisms And Clinical Applications

Context Monoclonal antibodies are being investigated for chronic pain to overcome the shortcomings of current treatment options. Objective To provide a practical overview of monoclonal antibodies in clinical development for use in chronic pain conditions, with a focus on mechanisms of action and relevance to specific classes. Methods Qualitative review using a systematic strategy to search for randomized controlled trials, systematic and nonsystematic (narrative) reviews, observational studies, nonclinical studies, and case reports for inclusion. Studies were identified via relevant search terms using an electronic search of MEDLINE via PubMed (1990 to June 2017) in addition to hand-searching reference lists of retrieved systematic and nonsystematic reviews. Results Monoclonal antibodies targeting nerve growth factor, calcitonin gene-related peptide pathways, various ion channels, tumor necrosis factor-α, and epidermal growth factor receptor are in different stages of development. Mechanisms of action are dependent on specific signaling pathways, which commonly involve those related to peripheral neurogenic inflammation. In clinical studies, there has been a mixed response to different monoclonal antibodies in several chronic pain conditions, including migraine, neuropathic pain conditions (e.g., diabetic peripheral neuropathy), osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, ankylosing spondylitis, and cancer. Adverse events observed to date have generally been mild, although further studies are needed to ensure safety of monoclonal antibodies in early stages of development, especially where there is an overlap with non-pain-related pathways. High acquisition cost remains another treatment limitation. Conclusion Monoclonal antibodies for chronic pain have the potential to overcome the limitations of current treatment options, but strategies to ensure their appropriate use need to be determined

Lumbar facet joint orientation in degenerative spondylolisthesis: the role of ethnic variation in the Asia Pacific

Program schedule A020Scientific session: Deformity surger

Lumbar Facet Joint Orientation in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: The Role of Ethnic Variation in Asia Pacific—A Study from the AOSAP Research Collaboration

The abstract can be viewed at http://www.spineresearchforum.org/WFSR_2014_Thieme_AbstractBook_with_Cover.pdfConference theme: The Intervertebral Disc - from Degeneration to Therapeutic Motion PreservationIntroduction Degenerative spondylolisthesis (dSpl) can lead to various symptoms, including low back pain. Lumbar facet joint orientation has been reported to be associated with the development of dSpl. The role of ethnicity regarding facet joint orientation remains uncertain. As such, the following study was performed across a wide-ranging population base to assess the role of ethnicity in facet joint orientation in patients with dSpl in the Asia Pacific region. Materials and Methods A multinational, multiethnic cross-sectional image-based study was performed in 34 institutions in Asia Pacific, identifying 448 cases. Lateral standing X-rays and axial MRIs and/or CT scans were obtained for patients with lumbar dSpl. Magnitude of slip displacement, level of dSpl, and left/right facet joint angulation, width-curvature ratio, and gap width were noted on image assessment. Facet joint measurements were performed at each level from L3-S1. Gender, age, BMI, and ethnicity were also noted. Results The study included 389 patients with known ethnic origin (mean age: 61.4 years; 36.7% males, 63.3% females). The mean BMI was 25.6 kg/m2. The level of dSpl was most prevalent at L4/L5 (72.4%). There were 28.8% Indian, 28.5% Japanese, 17.5% Chinese, 8.2% Korean, 6.2% Thai, 4.6% Caucasian, 2.3% Filipino, 2.3% Malay, and 1.3were of mixed Asian origin. Accounting for patient demographics and displacement, there was a statistically significant difference between ethnicity to that of left/ right facet joint angulations, width-curvature ratios, and gap widths from L3-S1 between specific ethnic groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion This is the largest study to address the role of ethnicity upon lumbar facet joint orientation in dSpl. Ethnicity plays a role in facet joint orientation and may influence the occurrence and severity of dSpl or be a potential consequence. An understanding of ethnic variability may be one factor which assists in identifying those patients at risk of postsurgical development or progression of dSpl. Acknowledgments This study was funded by AOSpine Asia Pacific. Disclosure of Interest None declare

Facet joint tropism and degenerative spondylolisthesis: a study from the AOSAP Research Collaboration

General Posters GP14