Can High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels Predict Functional Outcome Following Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients with Lumbar Disc Disease?
- Author:
Rajesh GOPIREDDY
1
;
Karthick RANGASAMY
;
Vijay G. GONI
;
Pulak VATSYA
;
Prateek BEHERA
;
Yatindra K. BATRA
;
Chetana VAISHNAVI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2021;15(6):753-760
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:This was a prospective study, with 77 patients in the study group and 23 participants in the control group. Baseline hs- CRP levels were obtained for both groups. Study group patients received a single ESI and were subjected to detailed pre- and postprocedure evaluation using MODY scores. For this group, hs-CRP levels were measured at 1 and 2 months after injection.
Results:Out of 77 patients, 52 had acute and 25 had chronic low back pain. Thirty-six patients with acute pain obtained significant improvement, while 16 had an insignificant response to the ESI. None of the chronic cases had a significant response. The mean baseline hs-CRP (mg/L) among the study group (29.83±10.43) was significantly higher than for the controls (10.26±2.783). The baseline hs-CRP among acute cases, where post ESI MODY score at 2 months had significant reduction, was 32.19±5.126, and those with insignificant reduction was 18.13±7.949 (p <0.001).
Conclusions:Baseline hs-CRP levels can be used to prognosticate the outcome following ESI in patients with acute lumbar disc disease, with radicular pain refractory to physiotherapy and analgesics.
