[A retrospective investigation of the efficiency of transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injections in patients with low back pain and the effects of interventional pain therapy on quality of life].

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of transforaminal anterior epidural steroid and local anesthetic injections (TAESE) and the effects on quality of life in patients with low back pain.

METHODS

The study patients (n=191) were divided into 3 groups: disc herniation (DH), failed back surgery (FBS), and spinal stenosis (SS). A visual analog scale (VAS) and verbal pain scale (VPS) were used to assess patient pain. Scores were measured before treatment (VAS 0), in the first month of application (VAS 1), 3 months (VAS 3), and 6 months (VAS 6). Patient quality of life was examined using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

RESULTS

In all 3 groups, there was a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with the VAS 0 score at 1, 3, and 6 months (p<0.001). The reduction in VAS/VPS was greatest in the DH group, followed by the FBS and SS groups, respectively. All of the parameters of the SF-36 measurement were lower in the SS patients compared with the DH patients. The quality of life score was lowest in the SS patients, though the physical health and social functioning scores were lowest in the FBS group.

CONCLUSION

TAESE is effective and can be safely performed in patients who have low back pain due to DH, FBS, or SS. The quality of life result was less successful in SS patients, particularly in the parameter of physical role limitations.