Effect of Patient Characteristics on Clinical Outcomes More Than 12 Months Following Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Implantation: A Retrospective Review

Introduction Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation is an effective treatment option for lower extremity complex regional pain syndrome and other focal pain conditions. However, the patient characteristics that may predict long-term outcomes have not been defined. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational study that included 93 patients who were implanted with a DRG stimulator at a single private practice institution. A variety of demographic data was collected. Follow-up results were reviewed from multiple time points more than 12 months. Patients were classified as either responder or nonresponder status using two different thresholds, greater than or equal to 50% pain relief and greater than or equal to 80% pain relief. Results A history of prior chronic opioid use was associated with significantly lower rates of responder status based on both a 50% pain relief threshold and 80% pain relief threshold at the one week to one month, three months, and 12-months visits. Conclusions This single-center retrospective study found patients prescribed chronic opioids at the time of DRG stimulator implantation had a higher likelihood of less than 50% pain relief and 80% pain relief at one month, three months, and 12 months follow-up visits.

Automated summary

This single-center retrospective study found that patients prescribed chronic opioids at the time of DRG stimulator implantation had a higher likelihood of less than 50% pain relief and 80% pain relief at one month, three months, and 12 months follow-up visits. This suggests that chronic opioid use may be associated with poor long-term outcomes of DRG stimulation.