Evaluation of Immunological Parameters for Pain Assessment in Dorsopathy

摘要

The levels of natural antibodies against the endogenous regulator peptides β-endorphin and orphanin were compared in healthy subjects and in patients with chronic pain syndrome using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentrations of these antibodies were found to differ significantly between the groups. The dependence of antibody levels on patients’ age and sex was also analyzed. In healthy subjects, there were no sex- or age-related differences in the distribution of these immunological parameters. In the group of patients with chronic pain syndrome, the antibody levels exhibited sex-related differences. In particular, the levels of antibodies against orphanin were significantly increased in 58% of women but only in 25% of men, while antibodies against β-endorphin were elevated in 46% of men and in 31% of women. Age-related differences in the distribution of antibody levels were observed only for antibodies against orphanin in the group of female patients. These data support the diagnostic value of determining antibodies against β-endorphin and orphanin and suggest that immunological markers may be employed in patients with pain syndrome regardless of age.