OUTCOME ASSESSMENT AFTER EPIDURAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION FOR LOW-BACK-PAIN AND SCIATICA

Epidural corticosteroid injection is a relatively effective treatment for low back pain and sciatica with a low incidence of side effects, a lthough the patient's perspective in terms of outcome and satisfaction has not been studied well. The assessment of outcome in low back pain patients is complex. Three types of measure were compared: 1) a clini cal score, 2) patient ratings of pain and disability, and 3) patient s atisfaction ratings. There were significant discrepancies among the re sults. Consequently, clinical trials using different outcome measures may reach different conclusions. It therefore is vital to have planned the study carefully in advance, considering the questions to be asked , especially in this area, where patient-derived measures (e.g., ''pat ient satisfaction'') are so important. This study of 35 patients showe d a fall in clinical signs/symptoms, disability, and pain 1 week after the injection, with maintenance of the reduction in disability at 3 m onths. Eighty-five percent reported at least some improvement at 1 wee k and 43% had improvement lasting 3 months. Patients with a more depre ssed mood had higher levels of disability both before and after the pr ocedure. Anxiety before the procedure did not adversely affect outcome , and it was well tolerated by most patients. At 3 months 83% were sat isfied with the treatment they had received and a patient satisfaction questionnaire gave similar results. We continue to recommend this tre atment as a well-tolerated procedure, with which most patients are sat isfied.