From the Guidelines
Gastritis can cause back pain due to referred pain from the stomach lining inflammation, which can radiate to the mid to upper back region. This occurs because the nerves that supply the stomach and those that supply the back share connections in the spinal cord, causing the brain to sometimes misinterpret the origin of the pain signals 1. The close anatomical relationship between the stomach and the spine also plays a role in this referred pain pattern. Severe gastritis can cause the stomach to become distended or swollen, which may put pressure on surrounding structures including the spine, contributing to back discomfort. Certain types of gastritis, especially those caused by H. pylori infection or NSAID use, are more likely to cause this referred pain pattern. Some key findings suggestive of gastritis on CT include gastric wall thickening due to submucosal edema, mucosal hyperenhancement or fat stranding due to inflammation, and fluid along the gastroduodenal region 1. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying gastritis with medications such as proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole 20mg once daily for 2-4 weeks), H2 blockers (such as famotidine 20mg twice daily), or antacids for symptom relief, along with eliminating triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, and NSAIDs. If H. pylori is present, a combination antibiotic therapy will be necessary. When gastritis is properly treated, the associated back pain typically resolves as the stomach inflammation decreases. It's worth noting that while low back pain can have various causes, including specific disorders like cancer, compression fracture, or spinal infection, gastritis is not typically considered a direct cause of low back pain 1. However, in the context of gastritis causing back pain, it's essential to focus on treating the underlying gastritis to alleviate the associated back pain. In clinical practice, a focused history and physical examination can help determine the likelihood of specific underlying conditions, including gastritis, and guide subsequent decision making 1.
From the Research
Gastritis and Back Pain
- Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining, and it can cause various symptoms, including abdominal pain and discomfort.
- However, there is no direct evidence in the provided studies that suggests gastritis can cause back pain.
- The studies primarily focus on the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, which is a common cause of gastritis, using proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics 2, 3, 4.
- One study discusses the mechanisms of musculoskeletal referred pain and how to differentiate it from nonmusculoskeletal pain, but it does not specifically mention gastritis as a cause of back pain 5.
- Another study compares the potency and efficacy of different proton pump inhibitors, but it does not discuss their relationship with back pain 6.
Possible Indirect Relationship
- It is possible that gastritis could lead to back pain indirectly, for example, through referred pain or muscle tension.
- However, this relationship is not supported by the provided studies, and more research would be needed to explore this potential connection.
- The studies suggest that proton pump inhibitors can help alleviate symptoms of gastritis, but they do not discuss the potential effects on back pain 2, 3, 6, 4.