Short-term efficacy of intravenous pulse glucocorticoids in acute discogenic sciatica. A randomized controlled trial

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_A49EA96A2F42
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Short-term efficacy of intravenous pulse glucocorticoids in acute discogenic sciatica. A randomized controlled trial
Journal
Spine
Author(s)
Finckh  A., Zufferey  P., Schurch  M. A., Balague  F., Waldburger  M., So  A. K.
ISSN
1528-1159 (Electronic)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
02/2006
Volume
31
Number
4
Pages
377-81
Notes
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Randomized Controlled Trial --- Old month value: Feb 15
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Double-blinded randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: To test the short-term efficacy of a single intravenous (IV) pulse of glucocorticoids on the symptoms of acute discogenic sciatica. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of acute discogenic sciatica is controversial. A potential advantage of the IV pulse therapy is the ability to distribute high glucocorticoid concentrations to the area surrounding the prolapsed disc without the risks and inconveniences of an epidural injection. METHODS: Patients with acute sciatica (<6-week duration) of radiologically confirmed discogenic origin were randomized to receive either a single IV bolus of 500 mg of methylprednisolone or placebo. Clinical evaluation was performed in a double-blind manner on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 10, and 30. The primary outcome was reduction in sciatic leg pain during the first 3 days following the infusion; secondary outcomes were reduction in low back pain, global pain, functional disability, and signs of radicular irritation. The analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis using a longitudinal regression model for repeated measures. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were randomized, and 60 completed the treatment and the follow-up assessments. A single IV bolus of glucocorticoids provided significant improvement in sciatic leg pain (P = 0.04) within the first 3 days. However, the effect size was small, and the improvement did not persist. IV glucocorticoids had no effect on functional disability or clinical signs of radicular irritation. CONCLUSIONS: Although an IV bolus of glucocorticoids provides a short-term improvement in leg pain in patients with acute discogenic sciatica, its effects are transient and have small magnitude.
Keywords
Double-Blind Method Drug Administration Schedule Endpoint Determination Female Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use Health Status Humans Injections, Intravenous Intervertebral Disk Displacement/complications/*drug therapy/physiopathology Male Methylprednisolone/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use Middle Aged Pain Measurement Questionnaires Radiculopathy/*drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology Sciatica/*drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology Treatment Outcome
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
25/01/2008 8:39
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:10
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