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Low Back Pain A Review

Author/s: 
Aidan G. Cashin, Roger Chou, Melissa B. Weimer

Abstract
Importance Low back pain is defined as pain localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal fold, with or without leg pain. Low back pain affects approximately 619 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide.

Observations Approximately 90% of patients presenting for care with low back pain have nonspecific low back pain, which is defined as low back pain that is not associated with specific spinal disorders (such as lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar spinal stenosis, vertebral fracture, axial spondyloarthritis, infection, or malignancy). Low back pain is classified as acute if the duration is shorter than 6 weeks, subacute if the duration is 6 to 12 weeks, and chronic when the duration is longer than 12 weeks. The age-standardized prevalence of low back pain is higher in females (9330 per 100 000) than in males (5520 per 100 000). The prevalence of low back pain increases with age, peaking at approximately 85 years. Risk factors for low back pain include obesity, depressive symptoms, occupational exposures (eg, heavy lifting), tobacco use, chronic disease (eg, diabetes), and previous low back pain. Acute nonspecific low back pain is usually self-limited, and approximately 72% of individuals recover by 12 months. Prognosis is less favorable for chronic nonspecific low back pain, but 42% of patients recover within 12 months. Initial management of patients with low back pain of any duration includes reassurance that serious underlying disease is unlikely, discussion about the expected time course of recovery, and the recommendation to remain physically active. Patients should be encouraged to continue their usual activities (including work), avoid prolonged rest, and be advised to self-manage their condition, which consists of symptom-relief strategies (such as heat application) and activity pacing (maintaining or gradually increasing usual activities and work). For patients with acute nonspecific low back pain, first-line therapies include heat application, spinal manipulation, massage, and acupuncture (typically provided by physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists) as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; such as ibuprofen) and skeletal muscle relaxants (such as cyclobenzaprine). For chronic nonspecific low back pain, first-line therapies include exercise of any type, psychological therapies (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy), or combined multidisciplinary approaches (such as pain management programs and integrated exercise and psychological care) along with spinal manipulation, massage, and acupuncture. NSAIDs should be considered as second-line therapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Conclusions and Relevance Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Acute nonspecific low back pain is often self-limited, whereas chronic nonspecific low back pain has a less favorable prognosis. For patients with acute nonspecific low back pain, first-line treatments include selected nonpharmacological therapies and medications (such as NSAIDs and skeletal muscle relaxants). For patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, first-line treatment consists of exercise, psychological therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), and combined multidisciplinary care.

Keywords 
Low Back Pain Nonspecific Low Back Pain

The Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Adults. A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

Author/s: 
Holt, R. I. G., DeVries, J. H., Hess-Fischl, A., Hirsch, I. B., Kirkman, M. S., Klupa, T., Ludwig, B., Nørgaard, K., Pettus, J., Renard, E., Skyler, J. S., Snoek, F. J., Weinstock, R. S., Peters, A. L.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) convened a writing group to develop a consensus statement on the management of type 1 diabetes in adults. The writing group has considered the rapid development of new treatments and technologies and addressed the following topics: diagnosis, aims of management, schedule of care, diabetes self-management education and support, glucose monitoring, insulin therapy, hypoglycemia, behavioral considerations, psychosocial care, diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreas and islet transplantation, adjunctive therapies, special populations, inpatient management, and future perspectives. Although we discuss the schedule for follow-up examinations and testing, we have not included the evaluation and treatment of the chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes as these are well-reviewed and discussed elsewhere. The writing group was aware of both national and international guidance on type 1 diabetes and did not seek to replicate this but rather aimed to highlight the major areas that health care professionals should consider when managing adults with type 1 diabetes. Though evidence-based where possible, the recommendations in the report represent the consensus opinion of the authors.

Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2019 Abridged for Primary Care Providers

Author/s: 
American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes is updated and published annually in a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care. The ADA’s Professional Practice Committee, which includes physicians, diabetes educators, registered dietitians (RDs), and public health experts, develops the Standards. The Standards include the most current evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating adults and children with all forms of diabetes. ADA’s grading system uses A, B, C, or E to show the evidence level that supports each recommendation.

  • A—Clear evidence from well-conducted, generalizable randomized controlled trials that are adequately powered

  • B—Supportive evidence from well-conducted cohort studies

  • C—Supportive evidence from poorly controlled or uncontrolled studies

  • E—Expert consensus or clinical experience

This is an abridged version of the 2019 Standards containing the evidence-based recommendations most pertinent to primary care. The tables and figures have been renumbered from the original document to match this version. The complete 2019 Standards of Care document, including all supporting references, is available at professional.diabetes.org/standards.

Keywords 
standard of care guidelines diabetes diabetes, type 2 A1C
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