title: [Melatonin and pain].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study analgesic possibilities of melatonin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study included 120 patients, aged from 40 to 65 years, with low back pain. Duration of illness was not less than 12 weeks, the VAS score was >3. Patients were stratified into 4 groups (2 pairs of comparison). In the first pair, patients of the main group (n=31) received a chondroprotector АРТРА with the addition of melaxen (melatonin in dose 3 mg) and patients of the control group (n=29) received only АРТРА. In the second pair, patients of the control group (n=30) were treated with АРТРА and diclofenac and patients of the main group (n=30) received additionally melaxen. Treatment efficacy was assessed after 3 months for the first pair and after 1 month for the second pair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant reduction in pain intensity at both resting state and movement was noted in main groups compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to its therapeutic efficacy and good tolerability, melatonin may be regarded as a drug of choice in the complex treatment of chronic pain syndromes. Possible analgesic properties of melatonin and their mechanisms are discussed.
authors.forename: Iu M
authors.initials: IuM
authors.lastname: Kurganova
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Danilov
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Goriachev
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004008:Diclofenac; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D008550:Melatonin; D005944:Glucosamine