Young Woman's Persistent Lower Back Pain Reveals Rare Vascular Mystery

A young woman from Nizhny Novgorod has been diagnosed with a rare combination of conditions after suffering from persistent lower back pain for over three months. Despite her youth and lack of classic risk factors, doctors discovered severe blockages in her neck blood vessels alongside a suspected inflammatory joint disease.

The woman first sought medical help when her back pain refused to subside, even at rest. The discomfort was worst in the mornings and evenings, only easing with painkillers or movement. A rheumatologist later suspected seronegative spondyloarthritis, an inflammatory condition affecting the spine and joints.

Further tests revealed an unexpected finding: atherosclerotic plaques were blocking nearly 50% of the blood vessels in her neck. Surprisingly, she reported no heart-related symptoms despite the severity of the blockage. Alexander Subbotin, deputy director of the Institute of Clinical Medicine at Lobachevsky State University (NNSU) and her treating cardiologist, confirmed the unusual case.

Doctors noted that the patient had no typical risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as smoking, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease. She remains under close medical observation while receiving ongoing treatment.

The case highlights an unusual overlap of conditions in a young patient with no obvious risk factors. Medical professionals continue to monitor her progress, though long-term effects on her treatment and quality of life remain unclear. The findings may prompt further research into similar atypical presentations.