Estimates of success in patients with sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation depend upon outcome measure

Eur Spine J. 2011 Oct;20(10):1669-75. doi: 10.1007/s00586-011-1809-3. Epub 2011 Apr 24.

Abstract

The objectives were to estimate the cut-off points for success on different sciatica outcome measures and to determine the success rate after an episode of sciatica by using these cut-offs. A 12-month multicenter observational study was conducted on 466 patients with sciatica and lumbar disc herniation. The cut-off values were estimated by ROC curve analyses using Completely recovered or Much better on a 7-point global change scale as external criterion for success. The cut-off values (references in brackets) at 12 months were leg pain VAS 17.5 (0-100), back pain VAS 22.5 (0-100), Sciatica Bothersomeness Index 6.5 (0-24), Maine-Seattle Back Questionnaire 4.5 (0-12), and the SF-36 subscales bodily pain 51.5, and physical functioning 81.7 (0-100, higher values indicate better health). In conclusion, the success rates at 12 months varied from 49 to 58% depending on the measure used. The proposed cut-offs may facilitate the comparison of success rates across studies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / complications
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / surgery
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / therapy*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / standards*
  • Pain Clinics / standards*
  • Prospective Studies
  • ROC Curve
  • Sciatica / etiology
  • Sciatica / surgery
  • Sciatica / therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*