Nucleotides Cytidine and Uridine Associated with Vitamin B12 vs B-Complex Vitamins in the Treatment of Low Back Pain: The NUBES Study

Abstract

Purpose

We report the results of low back pain treatment using a combination of nucleotides, uridine (UTP), cytidine (CMP) and vitamin B ₁₂, vs a combination of vitamins B ₁, B ₆, and B ₁₂.

Patients and Methods

Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, of a 60-day oral treatment: Group A (n=317) receiving nucleotides+B ₁₂ and Group B (n=317) receiving B vitamins. The primary endpoint was the percentage of subjects in each group presenting adverse events (AEs). Secondary endpoints were visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at Visit 2 (day 30) and Visit 3 (day 60) in relation to pretreatment values, Roland–Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) scores and finger-to-floor distance (FFD) (percentage of subjects per group presenting improvement ≥5 points and ≥3cm, respectively).

Results

Seventy-five (24%) and 105 (33%) subjects ( P=0.21) presented 133 and 241 AEs, with 3159% of subjects presenting ≥2 AEs ( P=0.0019) in Group A and Group B, respectively. Twenty-four subjects in Group B were discontinued due to AEs, while no AE-related discontinuations occurred in Group A ( P<0.0001). VAS score reduction after 30 and 60 days of treatment was statistically significant ( P<0.0001) in both groups, with Group A showing greater reduction at Visit 2 ( P<0.0001). RMQ score improvement ≥5 points occurred in 99% of subjects from each group, and FFD improvement ≥3 cm occurred in all subjects.

Conclusion

Treatment with nucleotides+B ₁₂ was associated with a lower number of total AEs, fewer AEs per subject, and no AE-related treatment discontinuation. Pain intensity (VAS) reduction was superior at 30 days of treatment in the nucleotides+B ₁₂ group and equivalent between groups at 60 days of treatment. Improvements in efficacy measures RMQ and FFD were observed in both groups at treatment days 30 and 60.