Acta Biomedica Scientia

CYTOKINE PROFILING IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN SECONDARY TO HERNIATED DISC: AN ANALYTICAL CROSS-SECTIONAL INVESTIGATION

Vincent Bosco Savery1, Gunavathy G2, Swathika A3, Sankar Lal

Dr.Vincent Bosco Savery@gmail.com

Chronic low back pain, Herniated Disc, Serum Cytokines, Inflammatory Markers, TNF-?, IL-6, IL-1?

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) remains a pervasive global health concern, with herniated disc pathology representing a substantial contributor to its prevalence. The present analytical cross-sectional study seeks to elucidate the intricate role of serum cytokines in individuals grappling with CLBP attributed to herniated disc pathology.A comprehensive cytokine profiling was conducted, analyzing serum samples from a cohort of participants with confirmed herniated disc-related CLBP. Employing rigorous analytical methodologies, we explored the correlation between specific cytokine levels and the chronicity and severity of low back pain. Twenty-three consecutive patients with herniated disc-related CLBP, were recruited from the Pain Clinic of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical sciences,, Puducherry. Key cytokines implicated in inflammatory cascades, including IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and sTNF-R were among the focus of investigation. Preliminary findings suggest a potential association between elevated levels of certain cytokines and the persistence and intensity of CLBP in individuals with herniated disc pathology. Furthermore, subgroup analyses based on clinical characteristics provide insights into potential cytokine biomarkers that may stratify patients based on pain severity and duration. Patient diagnoses were confirmed through computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine, and pain severity was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS). This research contributes to our understanding of the immunological underpinnings of CLBP secondary to herniated disc pathology, offering a foundation for future therapeutic interventions. The identification of specific cytokine signatures associated with chronic low back pain may inform targeted strategies for modulating inflammatory responses, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals burdened by this debilitating condition