Spinal Cord Stimulation Is Effective in Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I: Fact or Fiction

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Kumar ◽  
Syed Rizvi ◽  
Sharon Bishop Bnurs

Abstract BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) I is a debilitating neuropathic pain disorder characterized by burning pain and allodynia. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective in the treatment of CRPS I in the medium term but its long-term efficacy and ability to improve functional status remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of SCS to improve pain, functional status, and quality of life in the long term. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 25 patients over a mean follow-up period of 88 months. The parameters for evaluation were visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) and Short Form 36 (SF-36), and drug consumption. Evaluations were conducted at point of entry, 3 months, 12 months, and last follow-up at 88 months (mean). RESULTS: At baseline, the mean scores were VAS 8.4, ODI 70%, BDI 28, EQ-5D 0.30, and SF-36 24. In general, maximum improvement was recorded at follow-up at 3 months (VAS 4.8, ODI 45%, BDI 15, EQ-5D 0.57, and SF-36 45). At last follow-up, scores were 5.6, 50%, 19, 0.57, and 40, respectively. Despite some regression, at last follow-up benefits were maintained and found to be statistically significant (P < .001) compared with baseline. Medication usage declined. SCS did not prevent disease spread to other limbs. Best results were achieved in stage I CRPS I, patients under 40 years of age, and those receiving SCS within 1 year of disease onset. CONCLUSION: SCS improves pain, quality of life, and functional status over the long term and consequently merits early consideration in the treatment continuum.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Kumar ◽  
Gary Hunter ◽  
Denny Demeria

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To present an in-depth analysis of clinical predictors of outcome including age, sex, etiology of pain, type of electrodes used, duration of pain, duration of treatment, development of tolerance, employment status, activities of daily living, psychological status, and quality of life. Suggestions for treatment of low back pain with a predominant axial component are addressed. We analyzed the complications and proposed remedial measures to improve the effectiveness of this modality. METHODS: Study group consists of 410 patients (252 men, 58 women) with a mean age of 54 years and a mean follow-up period of 97.6 months. All patients were gated through a multidisciplinary pain clinic. The study was conducted over 22 years. RESULTS: The early success rate was 80% (328 patients), whereas the long-term success rate of internalized patients was 74.1% (243 patients) after the mean follow-up period of 97.6 months. Hardware-related complications included displaced or fractured electrodes, infection, and hardware malfunction. Etiologies demonstrating efficacy included failed back syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, angina pain, complex regional pain syndrome I and II, peripheral neuropathy, lower limb pain caused by multiple sclerosis. Age, sex, laterality of pain or number of surgeries before implant did not play a role in predicting outcome. The percentage of pain relief was inversely related to the time interval between pain onset and time of implantation. Radicular pain with axial component responded better to dual Pisces electrode or Specify-Lead implantation. CONCLUSION: Spinal cord stimulation can provide significant long-term pain relief with improved quality of life and employment. Results of this study will be effective in better defining prognostic factors and reducing complications leading to higher success rates with spinal cord stimulation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2;17 (2;3) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilgun Simsir Atalay

Background: Although there are several studies of systemic corticosteroid therapies in various doses and various durations in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the outcome measurement parameters are limited to the range of motion measurements, edema, and symptoms of CRPS. Objective: To investigate the effects of prednisolone on clinical symptoms, pain, hand grip strength, range of motion, as well as on functional ability and quality of life in patients who developed CRPS after traumatic upper extremity injury. Study Design: Retrospective evaluation. Methods: Forty-five patients who used prednisolone for CRPS of the upper extremity were retrospectively studied. Prednisolone was started with a dose of 30 mg and tapered by 5 mg every 3 days until discontinuation after 3 weeks. Clinical symptoms (morning stiffness, cold intolerance, shoulder pain, numbness of fingers, hyperesthesia, abnormal sweating, and cyanosis that is exacerbated by exposure to cold temperature), pain (Visual Analogue Scale-Rest [VAS-R] and VASActivity [VAS-A]) were reviewed. The muscle strength with grip strength (GS) (kg), lateral pinch (LP) (pound), tip-to-tip pinch (TP) (pound), and chuck pinch (CP) (pound) measurements; the joint range of motion with using third finger tip-distal crease distance (FT-DC) (cm); functional ability with Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH) score; and quality of life with Short Form-36 (SF-36) score were evaluated. Results: Mean age was 43.53 ± 11.43 years. After 3 weeks of therapy, patients showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms compared to the basal assessments (P < 0.05). The comparison of pre- and post-treatment results revealed that VAS-R, VAS-A, GS, LP, TP, CP, FT-DC, Q-DASH scores, and all SF-36 subscores were significantly improved (P < 0.05). Limitations: The retrospective design and data collection procedure was limited to the medical records of patients. Conclusion: A short-term oral prednisolone therapy significantly reduced the symptoms and signs of CRPS, and improved the functional abilities and quality of life. Key words: Complex regional pain syndrome, prednisolone, function, quality of life


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Bianco ◽  
M Colaneri ◽  
V Bucciarelli ◽  
FC Surace ◽  
FC Iezzi ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background  To compare long-term outcomes of aortic valve repair (AVr) and pulmonary autograft replacement (Ross procedure) in terms of echocardiographic parameters, quality of life (QoL), physical activity (PA). Methods  In 2005-19, 129 patients (median age 22 [13, 33 IQR], 75% males) underwent aortic surgery in our Department: 40 were Ross (22 years [19, 51 IQR]), 67 AVr (17 years [1, 50 IQR]) and 22 aortic valve replacements (52 years [30, 80 IQR]). We focused on Ross and AVr. Retrospectively, relevant data were collected from medical records and phone re-calls. Physical activity (spontaneous and active) and QoL were assessed utilizing the IPAQ and SF-36 questionnaires. All patients underwent echocardiography pre/post-surgery and the follow-up lasted 12 ± 4 years. Results  At the baseline, Ross patients had more aortic stenosis than insufficiency (P = 0.045). At the follow-up, Ross procedures presented more right-ventricle and aortic annulus dilatation (P = 0.002 and P = 0.030, respectively), but higher left-ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS: 18 ± 3.2 % vs. 16 ± 3.3, P = 0.0027). Conversely, AVr experienced more re-do operations (Log-rank P = 0.005). Ross reported better QoL (SF-36: 0.8 ± 0.07 vs. 19 ± 0.4, P-0.045) and were also more active in daily PA (IPAQ ≥ 2500 Mets: 63.8% vs. 6%; P = 0.006). Ross patients practiced more sports activities than AVr (P = 0.011). Conclusions  In a relatively small cohort of young and adults post aortic surgery patients, Ross procedures had better prognosis in terms of re-do operations; presented better ventricular function, as assessed by LV GLS. Ross patients had better long-term QoL and showed more spontaneous PA and involvement in sports activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 2035-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasra Amirdelfan ◽  
Cong Yu ◽  
Matthew W. Doust ◽  
Bradford E. Gliner ◽  
Donna M. Morgan ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii12-ii13
Author(s):  
S M Keshwara ◽  
A I Islim ◽  
C P Millward ◽  
C S Gillespie ◽  
G E Richardson ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Long-term Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important measure of patient wellbeing. There is a paucity of studies evaluating HRQoL in meningioma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cross-sectional study of adult patients with an incidental or symptomatic intracranial meningioma. Patients with less than 5 years of follow-up, a history of craniospinal radiation or neurofibromatosis type 2 were excluded. HRQoL was evaluated with SF-36, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BN20 questionnaires. Outcome determinants were evaluated using a multi-variable linear regression analysis, adjusted for patient, tumour and treatment characteristics, and duration of follow-up. RESULTS 699 patients were invited to participate and 246 responded: 118 (48%) had an incidental meningioma. Mean age at diagnosis was 56.8 years (SD=13) and 81% were female. Median time from diagnosis to completion of questionnaire was 8.5 years (IQR 6.8–11.5). During follow-up, 158 patients (64.2%) had at least one operation for their meningioma and 47 patients (19.1%) had radiotherapy. Of those operated, 126 (79.7%) had WHO grade 1 and 24 (15.2%) had grade 2 meningiomas. Compared to normative population values, meningioma patients reported a worse SF-36 general health score (mean 61.9 vs 56.5, P=0.003) but a similar QLQ-C30 global health score (mean 62.3 vs 65.8, P=0.039), worse SF-36 and QLQ-C30 physical functioning scores (mean 74.1 vs 64.6, P&lt;0.001 and mean 81.8 vs 76.5, P=0.007) and similar SF-36 and QLQ-C30 emotional health scores (mean 72.2 vs 70.9, P=0.367 and mean 71.0 vs 71.9, P=0.960). QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning was worse (mean 80.5 vs 71.4, P&lt;0.001). Compared to the meningioma literature, QLQ-BN20 seizure burden was similar (mean 2.0 vs 1.6, P=0.760). A worse performance status at diagnosis was associated with an inferior QLQ-C30 global health score (β-coefficient=-4.9 [95% CI -9.1-(-)0.6] P=0.024). Number of surgeries was significantly associated with a worse QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning score (β-coefficient=-7.0 [95% CI -13.2-(-)0.9], P=0.025). Anti-epileptic drug use was associated with a significantly worse QLQ-C30 emotional health score (β-coefficient=-10.9 [95% CI -21.7-(-)0.01], P=0.050). CONCLUSION Meningioma patients have long-term HRQoL impairments affecting their physical and cognitive functions. An understanding that multiple surgeries affects cognitive function, and the need for anti-epileptic drugs equate to poorer emotional health, could help target appropriate therapies and support in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 102-B (7) ◽  
pp. 845-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham S. Goh ◽  
Ming Han Lincoln Liow ◽  
You Wei Adriel Tay ◽  
Jerry Yongqiang Chen ◽  
Sheng Xu ◽  
...  

Aims While patients with psychological distress have poorer short-term outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), their longer-term function is unknown. We aimed to 1) assess the influence of preoperative mental health status on long-term functional outcomes, quality of life, and patient satisfaction; and 2) analyze the change in mental health after TKA, in a cohort of patients with no history of mental health disorder, with a minimum of ten years’ follow-up. Methods Prospectively collected data of 122 patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA in 2006 were reviewed. Patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively at two and ten years using the Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) and Function Score (KSFS); Oxford Knee Score (OKS); and the Mental (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) which were derived from the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). Patients were stratified into those with psychological distress (MCS < 50, n = 51) and those without (MCS ≥ 50, n = 71). Multiple regression was used to control for age, sex, BMI, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and baseline scores. The rate of expectation fulfilment and satisfaction was compared between patients with low and high MCS. Results There was no difference in the mean KSKS, KSFS, OKS, and SF-36 PCS at two years or ten years after TKA. Equal proportions of patients in each group attained the minimal clinically important difference for each score. Psychologically distressed patients had a comparable rate of satisfaction (91.8% (47/51) vs 97.1% (69/71); p = 0.193) and fulfilment of expectations (89.8% vs 97.1%; p = 0.094). The proportion of distressed patients declined from 41.8% preoperatively to 29.8% at final follow-up (p = 0.021), and their mean SF-36 MCS improved by 10.4 points (p < 0.001). Conclusion Patients with poor mental health undergoing TKA may experience long-term improvements in function and quality of life that are comparable to those experienced by their non-distressed counterparts. These patients also achieved a similar rate of satisfaction and expectation fulfilment. Undergoing TKA was associated with improvements in mental health in distressed patients, although this effect may be due to residual confounding. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7):845–851.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Ljungqvist ◽  
Margareta Holmström ◽  
Helle Kieler ◽  
Gerd Lärfars

Objectives To evaluate health-related quality of life after venous thromboembolism. Methods We conducted a cohort study, TEHS follow-up, including 1040 women with a first episode of venous thromboembolism and 994 women unexposed to venous thromboembolism. Patients were recruited from the “Thrombo Embolism Hormonal Study” (TEHS), a Swedish nation-wide case–control study on risk factors for venous thromboembolism in women 18–64 years of age. Quality of life was measured using SF-36 and VEINES-QoL/VEINES-Sym. Results On average there were no difference in mean SF-36 summary scales scores between exposed and unexposed women. Twenty percent of exposed women developed postthrombotic syndrome during follow-up. Women with postthrombotic syndrome had severely impaired quality of life with lower scores on all scales. Other predictors of low quality of life after venous thromboembolism were age, obesity, physical inactivity, and recurrent venous thromboembolism. Conclusion Long-term quality of life after venous thromboembolism in women was severely impaired among those developing postthrombotic syndrome, while quality of life in women not developing postthrombotic syndrome was similar to a control population.


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