PARACETAMOL FOR LOW BACK PAIN 'NO BETTER THAN PLACEBO'.

Paracetamol used to treat acute lower back pain is no better than a dummy pill, research in the Lancet suggests.

The largest trial to date suggests the drug does not improve recovery time or provide greater pain relief than a placebo.

The study questions whether paracetamol should remain a first-choice drug on most national guidelines.

But experts caution anyone considering a change of medication should seek medical advice.

Paracetamol does not work for every type of pain, nor does it work for every person”

Dr Andrew Moore Churchill Hospital, Oxford

About 26 million people suffer from lower back pain each year in the UK, and it remains a leading cause of disability worldwide.

Sleep quality

Researchers studied more than 1,650 people across several primary care centres in Australia, who had experienced back pain for six weeks or less.

• A third received regular doses of paracetamol
• A third took the drug as needed
• A third were given a dummy pill (placebo) for one month

Paracetamol did not reduce the intensity of the pain, nor did it improve sleep quality. And scientists found there was no difference in recovery time for all three groups - an average of 17 days.

Lead author Dr Christopher Williams, from the University of Sydney, said: "The results suggest we need to reconsider the universal recommendation to provide paracetamol as a first-line treatment."

'Remain active'

The researchers say the mechanisms behind lower back pain may differ to those in pain felt in other conditions such as headaches, toothaches and post-surgery discomfort - where there is evidence that paracetamol can provide relief.

And as people in the trial recovered more quickly than those in some previous studies, they suggest the advice and reassurance provided during their trial may be more effective than medication.

Dr Andrew Moore, a senior researcher at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, who was not involved in the research, told the BBC: "Paracetamol does not work for every type of pain, nor does it work for every person.

"There has been evidence emerging for some time that paracetamol does not benefit most people with chronic back pain for example.

"And I'm willing to bet in 10 years' time national guidelines will have changed."

However, the researchers were unsure what to recommend instead due the side-effects of some anti-inflammatory pain killers and say people should discuss their options with their doctor.

Prof Roger Knaggs of the British Pain Society, told the BBC: "Despite how common paracetamol use is, this is a question that hasn't been studied in such a rigorous way before.

"For people who feel no benefit, there are alternative strategies. They should speak to their pharmacists or doctors and discuss any side-effects of other medication."

Prof Christine Lin, an author on the study, said: "Other ways to ease back pain include remaining as active as possible and avoiding bed rest."  (BBC)

ONE PILOT RECOVERED ALIVE FROM CRASHED NIGERIAN AIR FORCE HELICOPTER

The Defence Headquarters say one of the pilots of the crashed Nigerian Air Force MI-35 helicopter, has been recovered alive.

However, the second pilot and technician on board the three-member crew flight died in the crash.  The helicopter was reported to have crashed this afternoon in Bama, Borno State, during a training session, following a technical fault.

A statement forwarded to our news desk by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, ruled out enemy action, but added that investigations have commenced to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident.

NIGERIAN GOVT. STOPS REGISTRATION & DEPORTTATION OF NON INDIGENES BY SOME STATE GOVTS.

The Nigerian Government today, warned state governments involved in the registration and issuance of identity cards to members of other ethnic groups resident in their domains to stop forthwith.

It also halted the deportation of some Nigerians by some state governments to their state’s of origin.  The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Security Council summoned by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja to discuss the issue.

Director-General, State Security Service, Mr Ita Ekpeyong, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, announced this to State House correspondents yesterday, after the meeting.

Mr Ekpeyong said the council also noted the reactions trailing the controversial exercise, insisting that it posed bigger threat to Nigeria’s unity than Boko Haram. 

He added that government was doing a lot to curtail the current security challenges in the country, especially as it relates to the Chibok girls. Mr Ekpenyong said government knows where the girls are being held, but will not rush into rescuing them to avoid endengering their lives.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar implored Nigerians to be patient and to continue to support the current efforts to end terrorism. 

Another council of state meeting will hold next week to further review the issues

ENUGU POLICE ARRESTS BOY FOR KILLING HIS FATHER WITH AN AXE

The Enugu State Police Command is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Christopher Onu.

A statement by the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said Mr Onu was axed to death by his son, Ikenna Onu. The incident happened on the 4^th of this month in Aguabosi village, Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Police said the late Mr Onu had called his son, Ikenna to advice his to desist from taking Indian Hemp, but Ikenna suddenly left his father and returning minutes later with an axe, which he slammed on his father’s head.

Mr Onu’s lifeless body was later deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital Oji River, for autopsy.