XXXX . Study of 100 cases and proposed diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm.

@entity1 @entity1514 @entity490 @entity2850
OBJECTIVE: In the medical literature, @entity1514 has traditionally been considered a rare occurrence. We hypothesise that the incidence of such protrusions and their abdominal symptoms is higher than is generally believed and that their presence may account for a significant proportion of chronic @entity490 . Accordingly, the present study was designed to identify and quantify the symptoms experienced by @entity1 with @entity1514 and to assess the relative risk of these symptoms being presented, compared to the general population. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a control group. The following comparison groups were analysed: case group, consisting of 100 @entity1 diagnosed with @entity1514 in our hospital between February 2007 and October 2012, and control group consisting of 100 subjects from the general population, chosen at random. To compare the symptoms observed in each group, the following tests were applied to all study subjects: clinical examination, gastrointestinal-related quality of life (GIQLI) questionnaire and DN4 questionnaire. We also reviewed the subjects' medical records for the previous 3  years. RESULTS: The subjects in the case group had a significantly higher incidence of digestive-urologic symptoms, a poorer gastrointestinal quality of life and greater need of medical care than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant for all the parameters studied. Almost all the case group subjects suffered chronic @entity490 and/or digestive-urologic symptoms. We term this group of symptoms "chronic @entity2850 ". Nevertheless, in most cases, no neurologic aetiology was suspected, and therefore the treatment given was ineffective. In view of the results obtained, we propose a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for such @entity1 . CONCLUSION: @entity1514 disc protrusion, as well as having a non-negligible incidence, is often associated with a digestive-urologic clinical syndrome, and this factor should be taken into account in all cases of chronic @entity490 and other digestive-urologic symptoms when standard tests are negative, so that appropriate treatment may be given.
