Title: Should Prednisone be used in Low Back Pain?
題目：下腰背部疼痛需要用強的松嗎？
Author 作者: Michael Bond
翻譯：李輝 校對：肖鋒

Is there any benefit to the use of prednisone in the treatment of lower back pain? One study showed that about 5% of patients receive prednisone for the treatment of their low back pain, but does it work.
用強的松治療下腰背部疼痛有好處嗎？一項研究顯示約5%的患者接受強的松治療他們的下腰背部疼痛，但它有用嗎？
A recent study by Eskin et al published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine looked at this question. They conducted a randomized controlled trial of 18-55 year olds with moderately severe low back. Patients were randomized to receive prednisone 50mg for 5 days or placebo.
最近Eskin等的一項發表在急診醫學雜志上的研究探討了這個問題。他們對18-55歲中重度腰背部疼痛的患者進行了一項隨機對照研究。患者隨機接受強的松或安慰劑50mg 共 5天的治療。
The study enrolled a total of 79 patients, and 12 were lost to follow up. At followup there was no difference in their pain, or in them resuming normal activities, returning to work, or days lost from work. To make matters worse more patients in the prednisone group sought additional medical treatment 40% versus 18%.
這一研究入選了79位患者，12位患者失訪。在隨訪期間，發現在疼痛，恢復正常活動，重返工作，或缺勤天數等沒有差異。更糟糕的是，更多強的松組的患者尋求額外的治療（40% vs. 18%）。
Conclusion: With the results of this study we should continue the treatment of low back pain with non-steroidials, muscle relaxants and exercise. There does not appear to be any role for steroids in the treatment of these patients.
結論：依據這一研究的結果，我們應該繼續應用非類固醇類藥物，肌肉松弛藥物以及鍛煉來治療下腰背部疼痛。類固醇在這些患者的治療中沒有顯示出任何作用。
References 參考文獻：
Eskin B, Shih RD, Fiesseler FW, et al. Prednisone for emergency department low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2014;47(1):65–70. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2014.02.010.