Prognostic Factors for Persistent Leg-Pain in Patients Hospitalized with Acute Sciatica

Study Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Objective.
To identify potential prognostic factors for persistent leg-pain at 12 months among patients hospitalized with acute severe sciatica.
Summary of Background Data.
The long-term outcome for patients admitted to hospital with sciatica is generally unfavorable. Results concerning prognostic factors for persistent sciatica are limited and conflicting.
Methods:
A total of 210 patients acutely admitted to hospital for either surgical or nonsurgical treatment of sciatica were consecutively recruited and received a thorough clinical and radiographic examination in addition to responding to a comprehensive questionnaire. Follow-up assessments were done at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. Potential prognostic factors were measured at baseline and at 6 weeks. The impact of these factors on leg-pain was analyzed by multiple linear regression modeling.
Results:
A total of 151 patients completed the entire study, 93 receiving nonrandomized surgical treatment. The final multivariate models showed that the following factors were significantly associated with leg-pain at 12 months: high psychosocial risk according to the Örebro Musculosceletal Pain Questionnaire (unstandardized beta coefficient 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72–2.38, P < 0.001), not receiving surgical treatment (1.11, 95% CI 0.29–1.93, P = 0.01), not actively employed upon admission (1.47, 95% CI 0.63–2.31, P < 0.01), and self-reported leg-pain [...]