Weight Loss and Low-Back Pain
Low-Back Pain in Morbidly Obese Patients
and the Effect of Weight Loss Following Surgery
Weight Loss and Low-Back Pain Study Background
Low-back pain (LBP) is a common health problem and its incidence, severity
and outcome have not been extensively investigated in morbidly obese patients
undergoing bariatric surgery.
Weight Loss and Low-Back Pain Study
Methods
50 morbidly obese candidates for vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) were
asked to fill in a questionnaire, to assess the incidence and severity
of any existing LBP symptoms. 50 non-obese patients, admitted to our surgical
unit for management of several benign conditions, were also asked to fill
in the same questionnaire and served as controls. 24 months after vertical
banded gastroplasty, the morbidly obese patients were again evaluated
for their LBP symptoms.
Weight Loss and Low-Back Pain Study
Results
LBP was identified in 29 morbidly obese patients (58 percent) preoperatively
and in only 12 (24 percent) of the lean controls. 2 years after vertical
banded gastroplasty, with a significant excess weight loss, only 10 patients
continued to have LBP but less frequently and requiring reduced doses
of medications compared with the preoperative condition. In the remaining
19 patients with preoperative positive LBP history, the postoperative
weight loss was associated with complete resolution of the symptoms.
Weight Loss and Low-Back Pain Study
Conclusion
The frequency of LBP is significantly higher in morbidly obese patients
than in lean subjects. Surgical weight reduction results in significant
improvement and even disappearance of this obesity co-morbidity.
Source: Obesity Surgery, 1 June 2003, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 389-393(5)
Articles to Help You Lose Weight
|
com