Factors associated with the outcome of transforaminal epidural steroid injections.
10.4097/kjae.2008.55.3.298
- Author:
Tae Kyu PARK
1
;
Ji Hee HONG
;
Jin Mo KIM
;
Jeong In BAE
;
Ae Ra KIM
;
Han Min KIM
;
Yong Cheol LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dong San Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Korea. pain1004@dsmc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
outcome predictors;
transforaminal epidural steroid injections;
two level
- MeSH:
Anxiety;
Constriction, Pathologic;
Depression;
Female;
Humans;
Radiculopathy;
Sciatica
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
2008;55(3):298-304
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to assaythe effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) for sciatica and to identify potential predictors related to treatment outcome. METHODS: TFESIs were performed in 150 patients between August 2006 and March 2007. Seventy-five patients (35 women, 40 men; mean age, 59.1 years), who met the inclusion criteria, were studied. Therapeutic effects were evaluated twoweeks after injection. The following potential outcome predictors analyzed were as follows: one level vs. two level injection, Beck depression inventory score (<13, 14-19, >20), Beck anxiety inventory score (<7, 8-15, >16), cause of radiculopathy (spinal stenosis vs. herniated disk), gender, duration of radiculopathy (<6 months, 6-12 months, >6 months), and Oswestry disability index score (<30, 31-60, >60). The relationships between possible outcome predictors and therapeutic effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 75 patients (65.3%) had a satisfactory result two weeks after TFESIs. Of these, twenty-four of the 46 patients (52.2%) were treated by a one level injection and 25 (89.3%) of the 29 patients were treated by a two level injection. This outcome was statistically significant (P < 0.01). None of the other potential outcome predictors showed any statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: TFESI is recommended as an effective method of managing radiculopathy. Two-level injectionsmay result in a better outcome than a one-level injection.
