Transforaminal Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy: A Novel Alternative for Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Author:
Stylianos KAPETANAKIS
1
;
Constantinos CHANIOTAKIS
;
Paschalis TSIOULAS
;
Nikolaos GKANTSINIKOUDIS
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From: Neurospine 2024;21(4):1210-1218
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) represents an increasingly encountered condition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study is to assess the progress of health-related quality of life following transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) for LDH in patients suffering from RA.
Methods:Seventy-four patients, scheduled to undergo elective TELD for LDH, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Group A included 36 otherwise healthy individuals and group B 38 patients complementarily diagnosed with RA according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR (American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism) criteria. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36) was selected for the outcome assessment at baseline and postoperatively, at selected intervals at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.
Results:Group A presented statistically significantly higher scores in all SF-36 domains and all selected intervals (p<0.001), except for mental health parameter. All aspects of SF-36 questionnaire significantly improved postoperatively (p<0.001) and in each group independently. Nevertheless, the absolute improvement between consecutive time intervals did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.
Conclusion:Patients diagnosed with RA who undergo TELD for LDH demonstrate statistically significant improvement in their health status, as measured by SF-36 questionnaire, one year after the procedure. This improvement is comparable with normal individuals.
