title: Factors determining the success of radiofrequency denervation in lumbar facet joint pain: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiofrequency denervation (RF) of the lumbar facet joints has been shown to be effective in well-selected patients. However, long-term success varies between studies. We evaluated the influence of selected psychosocial and constitutional factors on the outcome of RF, expressed as the duration of pain relief.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective observational study included 44 patients who received RF denervations at the University Hospital of Berne. Success was defined as at least 50% pain reduction 7-21 days, 6 months and 1 year after RF therapy. The Cox-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the following factors on the duration of success: age, sex, depression, work inability and previous surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete follow-up was available for 41 patients. The success rate 7-21 days after the denervation was 76%. It decreased to 32% at 6 months and to 22% at 1 year. The median success duration was 17 weeks (95% CI 10-26). The Cox-regression analysis showed a significant shorter duration of success for patients with depression (hazard ratio [HR] 2.97, 95% CI 1.32-6.65), previous surgery (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.10-5.21) and number of treated joints (HR 1.95 for each increase in the number of joints, 95% CI 1.14-3.33). In bivariate analyses, only depression was kept to be significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression seems to be related with a short duration of success. Based on these findings, a comprehensive study is warranted to evaluate whether psychosocial factors have to be considered when recruiting patients for radiofrequency denervation.
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. konrad.streitberger@insel.ch
authors: Konrad
authors: K
authors: Streitberger
authors: Tina
authors: T
authors: Müller
authors: Urs
authors: U
authors: Eichenberger
authors: Sven
authors: S
authors: Trelle
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Curatolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000601:surgery*; D003714:Denervation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011846:Radio Waves; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000294:innervation*