A fibrinolytic defect in chronic back pain syndromes

Lancet. 1984 Nov 24;2(8413):1186-7. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(84)92745-4.

Abstract

Blood fibrinolytic activity was measured in 18 subjects with severe chronic back pain and 18 age and sex matched controls. The patients showed evidence of defective fibrinolysis--namely, significant prolongation of the euglobulin clot-lysis time, reduction in fibrin-plate lysis-area and plasminogen levels, and increase in levels of the fibrinolytic inhibitors, alpha 2 antiplasmin and alpha 2 macroglobulin. This defect could be associated with fibrin deposition and scar formation and be responsible for the development and/or perpetuation of chronic inflammation and scarring at sites of damage in the spine. Enhancement of fibrinolytic activity may offer a new approach to the management of these back problems, and a double-blind controlled trial is in progress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Back Pain / blood*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen / analysis
  • Fibrinolysis*
  • Humans
  • Macroglobulins / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasminogen / analysis
  • Syndrome
  • alpha-2-Antiplasmin / analysis

Substances

  • Macroglobulins
  • alpha-2-Antiplasmin
  • Fibrinogen
  • Plasminogen