Network analysis of 22 864 acute and chronic back pain individuals in the UK Biobank

Introduction Back pain is a prevalent condition, with approximately one-third of acute cases becoming chronic. The neuroimmune system, which mediates interactions between the central nervous system and immune system, may drive this transition. Although individual neuroimmune factors such as well-being, inflammation, and physical activity have been studied in back pain, their interplay and its impact on pain chronicity, remains unclear. Network analysis offers a powerful approach to assess multivariate relationships, providing a comprehensive view of their interconnections. Clarifying these interactions could unc…