Biochemical profiles of blood may improve diagnosis of conditions contributing to low back pain (LBP), according to a study published online Jan. 7 in Arthritis Research & Therapy. LBP is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation and circulating cytokine levels may differentiate disc-related causes of pain. LBP is a widespread and costly problem. It is the second most common cause of physician visits in the United States, affects the majority of people at some point during their lifetime, and is estimated to cost $50 billion to $100 billion in direct health care spending. Yet, timely and definitive diagnosis is a challenge as pain can have multiple potential causes that present similarly and respond unpredictably to treatment. Additionally, MRI imaging has been shown to have poor correlation to functional impairment or pain. The researchers recruited participants (average age 50 years; 43 percent male) with LBP from a spine neurosurgery practice (n = 80) and a back pain management practice (n = 27), as well as a control cohort (n = 26). Serum samples were collected before treatment (either epidural steroid injection or surgery) and were assayed by multiplex electrochemiluminescence immunoassays for levels of multiple interleukins (IL), interferon- γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and […]