Efficacy of epidural steroids in low back pain and sciatica. A critical appraisal by a French Task Force of randomized trials. Critical Analysis Group of the French Society for Rheumatology.

摘要: Objective Several randomized trials have suggested recently that epidural steroid injections may not be a valid treatment in common low back pain and sciatica. To clarify this issue, we conducted critical appraisal of relevant published up to 1997. Attention was directed methodological quality, results, clinical implications. Method A Medline search identified 13 between 1966 Trial methodology evaluated using 100-point grid based on four groups items, namely study population, therapeutic intervention, evaluation method, data presentation analysis. Results Methodology quality scores ranged from 12 84 were unrelated the results therapy. Five demonstrated greater relief within first month group as compared control group. Eight found no measurable benefits. Obstacles meaningful comparisons across studies included differences patient populations, used, volume injected, number injections. None used injection modalities are standard practice France. Conclusion Whether steroids effective sciatica cannot determined our review.