Amitriptyline and Chronic Low-Back Pain

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Abstract
The effect of antidepressant medication on chronic low-back pain patients was studied in a randomized blind crossover study. Among those patients who completed the study, there was a 46% decrease in the use of analgesics while on amitriptyline when compared to placebo (P < 0.005). There was also improvement in affect, but no measurable change in activity level. The MMPI [minnesota multiphasic personality inventory] profile of those patients who were unable to comply with the study protocol differed from that of patients who completed the study. The noncompliers demonstrated an elevation of the F [frequency], Pd [psychopathic deviance], Pt [psychasthenia] (P < 0.05) and Mf [masculinity femininity] (P < 0.01) scales. Although the interpretation of such a profile is left open to speculation, it may serve as an indicator of noncompliant individuals.

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