Can anti-inflammatory drugs cause long-term pain?

A study suggests that blocking inflammation with drugs may prevent the body from naturally resolving pain, potentially leading to longer-lasting pain.

What role does inflammation play after an injury?

Inflammation helps prevent infection, increases blood flow to the injured area, and clears dead or damaged tissue, supporting the healing process.

How common is chronic pain in the UK?

Approximately one-third of the UK population, nearly 28 million adults, suffers from chronic pain, defined as pain lasting at least three months.

Home / Health / Inflammation Blockers May Prolong Pain, Study Suggests

Inflammation Blockers May Prolong Pain, Study Suggests

16 Feb

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Summary

Suppressing inflammation may lead to longer-lasting pain.
Mice studies showed reduced inflammation increased pain duration.
Chronic pain affects about a third of the UK population.

Inflammation Blockers May Prolong Pain, Study Suggests

New research from Michigan State University indicates that inhibiting inflammation, often treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, may paradoxically increase the duration of pain. In a mouse study, blocking a key immune molecule, TNF-alpha, reduced inflammation but led to prolonged pain, contrary to researchers' expectations.

The study, published in the Journal of Pain Research, was repeated using different methods, including the drug etanercept, yielding consistent results. Lead author Geoffroy Laumet noted that blocking inflammation prevented the body from naturally resolving pain. This echoes a 2022 study using UK Biobank data, which found individuals taking anti-inflammatories for lower-back pain experienced longer pain durations.