European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
-
Decompression with fusion is usually recommended in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) combined with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). However, elderly patients with LSS and DLS often have other comorbidities, and surgical treatment must be both safe and effective. The aim of this study was to investigate whether decompression surgery alone alleviates low back pain (LBP) in patients with LSS and DLS, and to identify the predictors of postoperative residual LBP. ⋯ A higher degree of apical vertebral rotation may therefore be an indicator of mechanical LBP in patients with LSS and DLS. Decompression with fusion should be recommended in these patients.
-
The International Classification of Human Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) provides insight into functional health status in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). In the assessment of functional limitations in patients with WAD, there are several condition-specific questionnaires available. Estimation of the true relationship between the separate constructs of the ICF is only possible if the items of the salient questionnaires measure exactly the constructs of interest, while not simultaneously measuring other constructs of the model. This study aimed to develop a condition specific and clinically relevant and usable instrument for patients with WAD that measures activity limitations and participation restrictions, as defined by the ICF framework. ⋯ The whiplash activity and participation list tends to measure clinically relevant activity limitations and participation restrictions in WAD patients.
-
Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Efficacy of duloxetine versus alternative oral therapies: an indirect comparison of randomised clinical trials in chronic low back pain.
The objective of this study was to obtain parameter estimates for the efficacy of duloxetine versus alternative oral therapies for the treatment of chronic low back pain. ⋯ The available evidence shows that there does not seem to be any difference in efficacy between duloxetine and other oral pharmacological therapies, providing a valuable alternative for this disabling condition.