Table 1 Follow up 12 months postoperatively
From: The effect of preoperative dexamethasone on pain 1 year after lumbar disc surgery: a follow-up study
Dexamethasone | Placebo | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
Patient characteristics | |||
Number of patients, n | 55 | 44 | |
Response rate, % | 71 | 58 | |
Time from operation to follow up, days | 364 (12) | 366 (11) | 0.31 |
Height, cm | 176 (8) | 177 (10) | 0.41 |
Weight, kg | 79 (14) | 83 (14) | 0.21 |
Sex, f/m | 27/28 | 15/29 | |
Outcome | |||
Back pain now compared to preoperatively | 2 (1 – 3) | 2 (1 – 2) | 0.19 |
Leg pain now compared to preoperatively | 2 (1 – 3) | 1 (1 – 2) | 0.04 |
VAS back pain, 0–100 mm | 22 (16–28) | 20 (14–28) | 0.47 |
VAS leg pain, 0–100 mm | 26 (19–33) | 17 (10–26) | 0.03 |
Uses analgesics 12 months postoperatively, % | 0.84 | ||
Daily | 16 (7 – 27) | 16 (7 – 27) | |
As needed | 31 (20 – 45) | 36 (23 – 52) | |
Currently on sick leave because of back problem, % | 13 (4 – 22) | 5 (0 – 11) | 0.17 |
Sickleave < 3 months postoperatively, % | 79 (58 – 81) | 84 (70 – 95) | 0.21 |
Transferred to less demanding job postoperatively, % | 15 (4 – 27) | 19 (8 – 32) | 0.59 |
Working % | 79 (58 – 81) | 84 (61 – 87) | 0.89 |
Sports active, % | 51 (38 – 64) | 68 (48 – 77) | 0.09 |
Walk distance more than 1000 m, % | 80 (69 – 89) | 91 (82 – 98) | 0.21 |
Satisfaction with surgical result, % (yes/no/unsure) | 0.02 | ||
Satisfied | 66 (51 – 79) | 84 (73 – 93) | |
Unsatisfied | 4 (0 – 9) | 7 (0 – 14) | |
Unsure | 30 (19 – 43) | 9 (0 – 18) | |