Pain and natural disaster

Chronic low back pain during COVID-19 lockdown: is there a paradox effect?

Purpose

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a compulsory lockdown of 3 months with strict restrictions. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown broad repercussions on patients with chronic pain; especially for conditions that present a significant emotional participation such as chronic low back pain (cLBP).

Methods

We performed a prospective study on 50 patients. Pre- and 1-month post-lockdown questionnaires such as: the Impact of Event Scale (IES), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Roland–Morris questionnaire (RMQ) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain intensity were collected.

Results

The mean time of the evolution of cLBP was 33.04 months (range 5–120 months). Eighteen (36%) patients improved their cLBP (i-cLBP), whereas for 14 (28%) it was worse (w-cLBP). Cox multivariate proportional hazard model identified that MODIC 1 disc disease [OR 19.93, IC95% (2.81–102.13), p = 0.015] and at-home workouts [OR 18.854, IC95% (1.151–204.9), p = 0.040] were good prognosis factors of the improvement of cLBP while subclinical/mild Covid-19 anxiety (IES score < 26) was a poor prognosis factor in improving cLBP [OR 0.21, IC95% (0.001–0.384), p = 0.009]. Furthermore, pre-lockdown benzodiazepine medication [OR 2.554, IC95% (1.20–9.9), p = 0.002] was a prognosis factor of worse cLBP. In contrast, patients with severe Covid-19 anxiety (IES score > 26) significantly improved their cLBP [OR 0.58, IC95% (0.025–0.834), p = 0.01].

Conclusion

Lockdown affected the somatic component of cLBP by decreasing activities and physical measures, whereas the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic spectrum paradoxically improved the psychic and emotional component of cLBP.

Availability, prices and affordability of essential medicines in Haiti

Background

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and faces numerous challenges, including inadequate medication access for its residents. The objective of this study was to determine the availability, prices, and affordability of essential medicines in Haiti and compare these findings to other countries.

Methods

We conducted a cross–sectional nationwide survey in 2011 of availability and consumer prices of 60 essential medicines in Haiti using a standardized methodology developed by the World Health Organization and Health Action International. The survey was conducted in 163 medicine outlets in four health care sectors (public, retail, nonprofit and mixed sectors). Medicine prices were expressed as ratios relative to the International Reference Price. Affordability was calculated by comparing the costs of treatment for common conditions with the salary of the lowest paid government worker and was compared to available data from four Latin American countries.

Results

For generic medicines, the availability in public, retail, nonprofit and mixed sectors was 20%, 37%, 24% and 23% of medications, respectively. Most of the available medicines were priced higher than the International Reference Price. The lowest paid government worker would need 2.5 days’ wages to treat an adult respiratory infection with generic medicines from the public sector. For treatment of common conditions with originator brands (OB) purchased from a retail pharmacy, costs were between 1.4 (anaerobic bacterial infection) and 13.7 (hyperlipidemia) days’ wages, respectively. Treatment of pediatric bacterial infections with the OB of ceftriaxone from a retail pharmacy would cost 24.6 days’ wages. Prices in Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico and Nicaragua were frequently lower for comparable medications.

Conclusions

The availability of essential medicines was low and prices varied widely across all four sectors. Over 75% of Haitians live on less than US$ 2.00 /day; therefore, most medication regimens are largely unaffordable. Inclusion of essential medications on the national formulary and working with organizations responsible for importing medications into Haiti, particularly drug donation agencies, are important first steps to increasing medication access.

The christchurch earthquake: crush injury, neuropathic pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder

On February 22, 2011, an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck Christchurch, New Zealand. The peak ground acceleration, a measure of the shaking or intensity of an earthquake, was one of the highest ever recorded worldwide. One hundred and eighty-five people lost their lives; many others were injured. Two cases both involving young women are presented; they sustained crush injuries to limbs after being trapped by falling debris and went on to develop severe neuropathic pain. This report examines the mechanisms of neuropathic pain in the setting of crush injury, the treatment modalities, and the association between chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder. These case reports highlight the fact that crush injury is relatively common during major earthquakes and that neuropathic pain is an important sequel of this. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common in earthquake survivors with a recognised association with chronic pain. Pain-related disability may increase as well. Issues such as chronic pain and physical disability should not be overlooked as attention focuses on disaster management and the treatment of life-threatening injuries.