Risk Of Damage Research Articles

A quench detection method for closed-loop superconducting coils based on currents redistribution in co-windings

Abstract Closed-loop operation of superconducting magnets can significantly reduce cryogenic heat load and enhance magnetic field stability, which has been widely applied in systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electro-dynamic suspension (EDS). Quench detection for close-loop superconducting magnets, especially high-Tc superconducting (HTS) magnets, has long been a challenging issue. In this paper, we derived quench-induced currents redistribution characteristics in parallel co-wound closed-loop superconducting magnets, and proposed a current-redistribution based quench detection method for such magnets. Artificial quench tests on a small scale co-wound closed-loop HTS coil were staged, with AC background magnetic field applied to simulate tough working conditions such as in HTS maglevs and HTS machines. Results show that the method can sensitively and reliably detect a quench even at its inception, long before the coil field change becoming identifiable, and the method is robust against background AC magnetic fields. This work may potentially be useful for reducing the quench damage risk in closed-loop superconducting magnet for various applications.

Efficacy and safety of edoxaban in patients with cardioembolic stroke

Ischemic strokes due to cardiogenic embolism are associated with an increased risk of death or permanent disability, which emphasizes the importance of their prevention. Edoxaban is a Xa inhibitor that is widely used globally as a new oral anticoagulant to prevent thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation and an increased risk of stroke. The purpose of this review is to summarize data on the efficacy and safety of edoxaban in the secondary stroke prevention. The literature review was conducted using PubMed and Medscape databases to search for publications on clinical trials and clinical guidelines on oral anticoagulant treatment for stroke prevention. The results of clinical trials show that in patients with atrial fibrillation, edoxaban is non-inferior to warfarin in efficacy for primary and secondary stroke prevention, but compared to warfarin, edoxaban treatment is much safer (significantly reduces the risk of serious bleedings, including intracranial ones). The safety profile of edoxaban makes it one of the best drugs for the treatment of elderly patients and those with chronic kidney disease. In general, the results of recent clinical trials indicate that in cardioembolic stroke due to atrial fibrillation, the early initiation of treatment with direct oral anticoagulants is safe and reduces the risk of recurrent embolic events. Timely determination of the etiological subtype of ischemic stroke, in particular the detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and consideration of individual patient characteristics are the key to an optimal secondary prevention strategy that minimizes the risk of recurrent brain damage and improves the quality of life after stroke.

The Influence Mechanism of Screw Internal Fixation on the Biomechanics of Lateral Malleolus Oblique Fractures.

It remains inconclusive about the stability and optimal fixation scheme of screw internal fixation for lateral malleolus oblique fractures in clinical practice. In this study, the effects of different screw internal fixation methods on the biomechanics of lateral malleolus oblique fractures were investigated. These efforts are expected to lay a theoretical foundation for the selection of internal fixation methods and rehabilitation training regimens in the treatment of lateral malleolus fractures. A healthy ankle joint model and a lateral malleolus fracture internal fixation model were established based on CT data with the aid of some software. Besides, the effects of screw internal fixation modalities on the fracture displacement of fibula fractures, fibula Von Mises stress, and screw Von Mises stress under different physiological conditions and loading conditions were investigated using finite element methods (FEMs) and invitro physical experiments. The double screw vertical fibular axis internal fixation approach had the lowest fracture displacement of fibula fractures and screw Von Mises stress values; while the double screw vertical fracture line internal fixation approach had the lowest fibula Von Mises stress values. Under different physiological conditions, the magnitude of the peak Von Mises stress of the fibula and screw was ranked as plantarflexion 20° > plantarflexion 10° > neutral position > dorsiflexion 10° > dorsiflexion 20°; and the magnitude of the peak displacement of the fibula fracture breaks was ranked as plantarflexion 20° > plantarflexion 10° > neutral position > dorsiflexion 20° > dorsiflexion 10°. The results of invitro physical experiments and finite element analyses were in good agreement, which validated the validity of finite element analyses. The vertical fracture line screw implantation method displays a better load-sharing ability; while the vertical fibular axis screw implantation method exhibits a better ability to prevent axial shortening of the fibula and also reduces the risk of screw fatigue damage. Overall, the double screw achieves better therapeutic effects than the single screw. Given that the ankle joint has high stability in the dorsiflexion position, it is recommended to prioritize dorsiflexion rehabilitation training, rather than dorsiflexion and plantarflexion rehabilitation training with too large angles, in the treatment of lateral malleolus fractures.

Could chronic opioid use be an additional risk of hepatic damage in patients with previous liver diseases, and what is the role of microbiome?

Summary: Among illicit drugs, addiction from opioids and synthetic opioids is soaring in an unparalleled manner with its unacceptable amount of deaths. Apart from these extreme consequences, the liver toxicity is another important aspect that should be highlighted. Accordingly, the chronic use of these substances, of which fentanyl is the most frequently consumed, represents an additional risk of liver damage in patients with underlying chronic liver disease. These observations are drawn from various preclinical and clinical studies present in literature. Several downstream molecular events have been proposed, but recent pieces of research strengthen the hypothesis that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is a solid mechanism inducing and worsening liver damage by both alcohol and illicit drugs. In this scenario, the gut flora modification ascribed to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease performs an additive role. Interestingly enough, HBV and HCV infections impact gut–liver axis. In the end, the authors tried to solicit the attention of operators on this major healthcare problem.

Association between cardiovascular risk and diastolic blood pressure in older adults with systolic blood pressure less than 130mmHg: a prospective cohort study from 2014 to 2022

BackgroundThe 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guideline lowered the diagnostic threshold for hypertension to a systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) of 130/80 mmHg. However, the predictive value of DBP for cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment diminishes with aging. The study aimed to explore whether the new diagnostic threshold for diastolic hypertension is associated with increased risk of CV organ damage and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in older adults.Methods1181 individuals aged 65 years or older with SBP < 130 mmHg were enrolled a prospective cohort study. They were classified into Low (< 70 mmHg), Optimal (70 to < 80 mmHg), and High (80 to < 90 mmHg) DBP groups. Cardiac, vascular, and renal organ damage were measured at baseline. The endpoint of the study was MACEs.ResultsAmong 1181 participants (average age 71.9 years, 44.8% men), 172 MACEs were observed during an average follow-up of 6.4 years. We found no significant differences in CV organ damage or MACEs rates (Log-rank P = 0.73) among three groups. In multivariable Cox regression, compared to the Optimal DBP group, no significant increase in CV risk was observed in the Low DBP group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.02, [95% CI 0.68–1.52], P = 0.93) or the High DBP group (HR 1.04, [95% CI 0.72–1.49], P = 0.85). Propensity score matching showed consistent results.ConclusionIn older adults with SBP < 130 mmHg, DBP values 80–89 mmHg were not associated with higher risk of CV organ damage, events or mortality.

Health Implications of Proinflammatory Cytokine Activity at Different Levels of Fluoride Exposure: A Systematic Review.

The chronic intake of excessive fluoride (F-) (> 1.5 mg/L) affects several tissues, organs, and systems. This represents a worldwide issue due to the presence of the compound in nature, with drinking water being the main source of exposure. The underlying mechanisms by which F- is toxic are not completely understood, but proinflammatory cytokine activity is implicated in these events. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the health implications of proinflammatory cytokine activity at different levels of F- exposure. The search for original studies in which the activity of proinflammatory cytokines was assessed under exposure to F- was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, Springer, EBSCO, and Google Scholar databases by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024546726). Sixteen studies were analyzed in the present review. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1 beta (β), IL-6, IL-2, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, C-reactive protein, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were the proinflammatory cytokines identified in the included reports. Alterations in cytokine activity were observed in response to varying levels of F- exposure, implicating an increased risk of toxicity and damage to the evaluated structures by highlighting the role of inflammation in the progression of these processes. Hence, the activity of proinflammatory cytokines at different levels of F- exposure has important implications for health, where inflammation plays a relevant role in the underlying mechanisms related to the resulting toxicity.

Risk Assessment of Bridge Damage Due to Heavy Rainfall Considering Landslide Risk and Driftwood Generation Potential Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Conventional Machine Learning

This study addresses the assessment of bridge damage risks associated with heavy rainfall, focusing on landslide susceptibility and driftwood generation potential. By integrating convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with traditional machine learning methods, the research develops an advanced predictive framework for estimating driftwood accumulation at river bridges—a recognized challenge in disaster management. Concentrating on the Tokachi River basin in Hokkaido, Japan, the research utilizes diverse environmental and geographical data from authoritative sources. The findings demonstrate that the innovative approach not only enhances the accuracy of driftwood volume predictions but also distinguishes the effectiveness of CNNs compared to conventional methods. Crucially, areas prone to landslides are identified as significant contributors to driftwood generation, impacting bridge safety. The study underscores the potential of machine learning models in improving disaster risk assessment, while suggesting further exploration into real-time data integration and model refinement to adapt to changing climate conditions and ensure long-term infrastructure safety.

Bayesian modeling and mechanical simulations for fragility curve estimation of the mooring system of marine hydrokinetic devices

This work uses Bayesian modeling and mechanical model simulations through the Ansys-AQWA software to construct fragility curve estimates for marine hydrokinetic devices, more specifically, their mooring system. The fragility curves proposed here associate wind speed levels with the risk of damage to the equipment and could be used to better understand the susceptibility of these devices to damage from hurricanes. Our proposed modeling framework uses acoustic Doppler current profiler measurements from a site located off the North Carolina coast and the RM4 conversion device from the Sandia National Laboratory. By evaluating different scenarios with and without dynamic tension in mooring lines due to changes in current velocities caused by extreme wind speeds, our results indicate that the risks of damage may be significant depending not only on the average current velocity but also on the velocity variation.

Geographical variability in hygrothermal simulation results of historical building envelopes with interior insulation in Belgium

Thermal retrofits of existing buildings offer a great potential to reduce Europe’s energy use and CO2 emissions. The impact of these retrofitting strategies on the risk for degradation in building envelopes is assessed through hygrothermal simulations. Due to the lack of long term climate data, hygrothermal simulations are performed for a certain location, and the results are generalised over a large region. However, this generalisation may not be valid, since the hygrothermal performance of building envelopes is highly influenced by local climate conditions. Therefore, we assessed the geographical variability on degradation risks in building envelopes. This paper presents the results of 34560 hygrothermal simulations of solid masonry walls, with and without interior insulation, and including a range of other parameter variations, for 20 synoptic weather stations across Belgium. Generally, the risk for degradation is higher at locations with a higher elevation above sea level. For Belgium, the elevation correlates well with the mean temperature (invers correlation), and the annual precipitation and wind-driven rain load. For a known wall orientation, the impact of interior insulation on the risk for freeze-thaw damage is most determined by the elevation above sea level. Also the mould index in uninsulated walls correlates best with the elevation. On the contrary, the brick type is more important than the location when considering wood decay of embedded beam heads in retrofitted walls. To conclude, the risk for degradation cannot be generalised, especially over areas with complex variations in orographic and climatological conditions.

Safety considerations for spinal surgery in patients with deep brain stimulation devices

PurposeDeep brain stimulation (DBS) has been performed for various brain disorders. However, spinal surgery in patients with DBS was been approached with cautious trepidation due to risk of thermal brain injury and device damage from coagulation devices during surgery. This study presents the cases of successful spinal surgery performed after DBS implantation. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the patients who received spinal surgery after DBS implantation between April 2001 and November 2022. We reviewed their demographic data, preoperative evaluations, and surgical strategies employed. ResultsAmong 348 patients who underwent DBS implantation, eight patients received spinal surgery. The methods used for diagnosing their spinal conditions varied: two cases of computed tomography (CT) myelogram, one case of CT scan with pre-DBS magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), one case of CT scan only, and four cases of post-DBS MRI. The location of the spinal surgery were one case of cervical spinal surgery, three cases of thoracolumbar spinal surgery, and four cases of lumbar spinal surgery. We followed diagnostic study guidelines and safety considerations tailored to each surgical step. Monopolar and bipolar coagulation devices were used when necessary. There were no cases of complications caused by spine surgery regarding DBS function or DBS implanted site. ConclusionCareful execution of surgical procedures, adherence to safety guidelines, and the use of MRI for diagnosis can ensure safe and successful spinal surgery in patients with DBS implants, minimizing the risk of damage to the DBS system and the brain.

A Review on Knowledge, Perception, Practice and Associated Factors of Sunscreen Usage among the Population

Background: The use of sunscreen is a critical component of skin cancer prevention and overall skin health. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in sunscreen knowledge, perceptions, and practices persist among different populations, which are influenced by various factors. This review aims to synthesise and analyse the existing literature on the knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to sunscreen use across different populations and regions. It explores the factors influencing sunscreen application and the barriers to proper sunscreen use. Methods: A comprehensive review of studies published between 2015 and 2023 was conducted, focusing on quantitative research on sunscreen knowledge, perceptions, and practices. Journals were obtained from EBSCo, Scopus and Mendeley databases. Results: The initial article obtained from databases was 1250 articles, and the final articles chosen for review is 32 articles. This review highlights significant knowledge gaps about sunscreen use, particularly the need for sunscreen on cloudy days and understanding SPF values. Despite high awareness of UV radiation's harmful effects, actual use remains inconsistent. Common misconceptions, such as believing sunscreen is unnecessary in winter or indoors, persist across demographics. Perceptions of sunscreen's efficacy vary. Factors like sex, skin phototype, age, and education level significantly influence use, with barriers including forgetfulness, discomfort, cost, and lack of habit. Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for enhanced educational campaigns to correct misconceptions and promote consistent sunscreen use. Targeted interventions should address specific barriers and tailor messages to different demographic groups to improve sunscreen practices and reduce the risk of UV-induced skin damage.

Speed Breaker and Potholes Detection Using DL and IoT

This project introduces a novel approach to enhance road safety by implementing a real-time pothole detection system. The system utilizes a camera module to capture video input, which is then processed using a Python file for Image detection. Upon detecting a pothole or a speed breaker, the system triggers a buzzer to alert nearby vehicles and pedestrians. This alert mechanism aims to reduce the risk of accidents and vehicle damage caused by potholes, thereby improving overall road safety. Additionally, the project can contribute to the efficient maintenance of roads by enabling timely repair of identified potholes. The system's effectiveness in alerting road users and facilitating prompt repairs underscores its potential to enhance the quality and safety of transportation infrastructure. Also a concept of RQI (Road Quality Index) will improve the transport and travelling over the road. And to make a database which contain coordinates where speed breakers and potholes are present and this database will be real time

Differences in target organ damage in individuals with intermediate hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes identified by 1-hour plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test

Aims: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has recently recommended determination of 1-hour glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to diagnose intermediate hyperglycemia (IH) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Herein, we investigated the implications of IDF recommendation for characterizing the risk of cardiovascular target organ damage including left ventricular mass normalized by body surface area (LVM index [LVMI]), and myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency normalized by LVM (MEEi) in individuals with IH and T2D. Methods: LVMI, and MEEi were assessed in 1847 adults classified on the basis of fasting, 1-hour and 2- hour glucose during an OGTT according to the IDF recommendation as having normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 736), isolated impaired fasting glucose (iIFG, n = 105), IH (n = 676), and newly diagnosed T2D (n = 330). Results: As compared with NGT group, individuals with either IH or T2D exhibited significantly higher LVMI (97 ± 26, 109 ± 30, and 116 ± g/m2, P < 0.001, respectively), and a decrease in MEEi (0.42 ± 0.11, 0.37 ± 0.10, and 0.35 ± 0.11 ml/sec*g-1, P < 0.001, respectively). LVMI, and MEEi did not differ between NGT and iIFG groups. Conclusion: The thresholds of 1-hour post-load glucose proposed by IDF as diagnostic criteria for IH and T2D are capable of detecting individuals at risk of cardiovascular target organ damage.

Hepatitis C Virus—Core Antigen: Implications in Diagnostic, Treatment Monitoring and Clinical Outcomes

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a global health concern, can lead to chronic liver disease. The HCV core antigen (HCVcAg), a viral protein essential for replication, offers a cost-effective alternative to HCV RNA testing, particularly in resource-limited settings. This review explores the significance of HCVcAg, a key protein in the hepatitis C virus, examining its structure, function, and role in the viral life cycle. It also evaluates its clinical use in diagnosis and treatment monitoring, comparing its performance to the standard HCV RNA assay using data from PubMed and Google Scholar. HCVcAg assays show high pooled sensitivity (93.5%) and pooled specificity (99.2%) compared to HCV RNA assays, correlating closely (r = 0.87) with HCV RNA levels. Hence, HCVcAg testing offers a cost-effective way to diagnose active HCV infections and monitor treatment, especially in resource-limited settings, but its sensitivity can vary and standardization is needed. HCVcAg also predicts liver disease progression and assesses liver damage risk, aiding patient management. It helps to identify patients at risk for fibrosis or carcinoma, making it vital in hepatitis C care. HCVcAg testing can expand access to HCV care, simplify management, and contribute to global elimination strategies, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Leprosy.

Leprosy, a neglected tropical disease, causes significant morbidity in marginalized communities. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, annual new case detection plateaued for over a decade at ~200,000 new cases. The clinical phenotypes of leprosy strongly parallel host immunity to its causative agents Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. The resulting spectrum spans from paucibacillary leprosy, characterized by vigorous pro-inflammatory immunity with few bacteria, to multibacillary leprosy, harbouring large numbers of bacteria with high levels of seemingly non-protective, anti-M. leprae antibodies. Leprosy diagnosis remains clinical, leaving asymptomatic individuals with infection undetected. Antimicrobial treatment is effective with recommended multidrug therapy for 6 months for paucibacillary leprosy and 12 months for multibacillary leprosy. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 6 years, although longer periods have been described. Given this lengthy incubation period and dwindling clinical expertise, there is an urgent need to create innovative, low-complexity diagnostic tools for detection of M. leprae infection. Such advancements are vital for enabling swift therapeutic and preventive interventions, ultimately transforming patient outcomes. National health-care programmes should prioritize early case detection and consider post-exposure prophylaxis for individuals in close contact with affected persons. These measures will help interrupt transmission, prevent disease progression, and mitigate the risk of nerve damage and disabilities to achieve the WHO goal 'Towards Zero Leprosy' and reduce the burden of leprosy.

Effect of feed rate during induction hardening on the hardening depth, microstructure, and wear properties of tool-grade steel work roll

Rolls are the most critical yet vulnerable parts of cold rolling mills. It is crucial for them to withstand long rolling campaigns without losing surface roughness or incurring damage. Newly developed rolls are made from tool-grade steel with high roughness, lower wear, and high damage resistance. One of the most important advantages is the elimination of the need for chrome plating, which is currently widely used on standard steel rolls but is ecologically harmful. We investigated a type of steel with 8% chromium for use in cold rolling using light optical microscopy (LOM), X-ray crystallography (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), hardness measurements, and tribological tests. In this study, a roll with a diameter of 325 mm was electro-slag remelted and forged, machined to a diameter of 305 mm, and quenched and tempered to simulate industrial roll production. A forged roll was induction heated and hardened at four different feed rates (i.e., 24 mm/min, 30 mm/min, 36 mm/min, and 42 mm/min), tempered at 515℃ for 24h and again at 480℃ for 24h, and dissected for in-depth analysis. We identified a clear relationship between the feed rate of the roll during induction hardening and the depth of hardness, the sizes of carbides, and the wear properties of the roll. By reducing the feed rate of the roll through the inductor, we increased the depth of the hardened layer from 16 mm (at a feed rate of 36 mm/min) to 25 mm (at a feed rate of 24 mm/min), which is a 56.25% increase. Such an increase is expected to extend the lifespan of the working roll without having negative effects on the wear resistance and other important parameters. XRD analysis showed that the sample had a 0.4% residual austenite, which means it had a significantly lower risk of roll damage during operation than standard steel grades

Nanocarriers for Delivery of Anticancer Drugs: Current Developments, Challenges, and Perspectives

Cancer, the most common condition worldwide, ranks second in terms of the number of human deaths, surpassing cardiovascular diseases. Uncontrolled cell multiplication and resistance to cell death are the traditional features of cancer. The myriad of treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to treat this disease. Conventional chemotherapy drug delivery suffers from issues such as the risk of damage to benign cells, which can cause toxicity, and a few tumor cells withstand apoptosis, thereby increasing the likelihood of developing tolerance. The side effects of cancer chemotherapy are often more pronounced than its benefits. Regarding drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, their bioavailability and stability in the tumor microenvironment are the most important issues that need immediate addressing. Hence, an effective and reliable drug delivery system through which both rapid and precise targeting of treatment can be achieved is urgently needed. In this work, we discuss the development of various nanobased carriers in the advancement of cancer therapy—their properties, the potential of polymers for drug delivery, and recent advances in formulations. Additionally, we discuss the use of tumor metabolism-rewriting nanomedicines in strengthening antitumor immune responses and mRNA-based nanotherapeutics in inhibiting tumor progression. We also examine several issues, such as nanotoxicological studies, including their distribution, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. Although significant attention is being given to nanotechnology, equal attention is needed in laboratories that produce nanomedicines so that they can record themselves in clinical trials. Furthermore, these medicines in clinical trials display overwhelming results with reduced side effects, as well as their ability to modify the dose of the drug.

Managing ankle fracture-dislocation injury in the emergency department: a case study.

Ankle fracture-dislocation is a serious injury that requires prompt and appropriate management. The proximity of various neurovascular structures around the ankle joint means there is a risk of nerve or blood vessel damage. Initial management in the emergency department (ED), therefore, includes the realignment and repositioning of the dislocated joint to its normal anatomical position, referred to as reduction. This article details a case study of a 42-year-old woman who presented to an ED in Ireland with a suspected ankle fracture-dislocation following a fall while playing sport. Following triage and initial pain management, the patient's care was managed by an advanced nurse practitioner, in collaboration with medical colleagues, which involved history taking and physical assessment, reduction of the dislocation and splinting of the ankle under procedural sedation, monitoring during and after procedural sedation, and radiological imaging.

Histopathology of thermal effects in endoscopic ear surgery: An experimental animal study.

The potential risk of thermal damage in the transcanal endoscopic ear surgery has been a concerning issue. This study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of heat exposure of different durations in external auditory canal (EAC) skin and facial nerve tissues. This study was conducted on 20 rabbits assigned equally to five groups according to the endoscope-transmitted heat exposure duration: Control group (no exposure), 2, 10, 15, and 30 min. At the end of the procedure, EAC skin and the tympanic segment of facial nerve tissue samples were taken surgically and histopathologically examined. Significant histopathological thermal damage findings in external auditory canal skin and facial nerve tissues were observed under endoscope-transmitted heat exposure longer than 15 and 10 min, respectively. This study demonstrated that prolonged exposure of the endoscope-transmitted heat can cause histopathological thermal damage in EAC skin and facial nerve on rabbit subjects.

Investigation of the effects of a new transdermal formulation of systemic diclofenac on the upper gastrointestinal mucosa in patients with low back pain: A comparative study with oral diclofenac.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with gastrointestinal mucosal damage attributed to a topical effect of NSAIDs on the gastrointestinal mucosa after oral administration and cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition. Diclofenac sodium systemic patch (DSSP), a transdermal patch from which diclofenac sodium is absorbed through the skin to exert its effects through the circulating blood, is considered to reduce the occurrence of gastrointestinal mucosal damage compared with oral diclofenac. This study aimed to compare the effect of DSSP on the upper gastrointestinal mucosa with that of an orally administered diclofenac sodium tablet (DST). This randomized, evaluator-blinded study included Japanese patients with low back pain (LBP). The patients were administered with either DSSP (150mg/day) or DST (75mg/day) for 2weeks. The primary endpoint was the incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers and/or erosions on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy after the study treatment. Thirty patients each were randomly assigned to the DSSP and DST groups. The incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers and/or erosions was 26.7% and 86.2% in the DSSP and DST groups, respectively. The difference in the incidence was -59.5% (95% confidence interval: -77.0 to -34.6). No adverse events (AEs) were observed in the DSSP group, and 20.0% (6/30 patients) reported mild AEs in the DST group (excluding ulcers and erosions). DSSP is associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal mucosal damage than DST, which has the same active ingredient but uses a different route of administration, in patients with LBP.