title: The prognosis of self-reported paresthesia and weakness in disc-related sciatica.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore how patients with sciatica rate the 'bothersomeness' of paresthesia (tingling and numbness) and weakness as compared with leg pain during 2 years of follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cohort study including 380 patients with sciatica and lumbar disc herniation referred to secondary care. Using the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index paresthesia, weakness and leg pain were rated on a scale from 0 to 6. A symptom score of 4-6 was defined as bothersome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Along with leg pain, the bothersomeness of paresthesia and weakness both improved during follow-up. Those who received surgery (n = 121) reported larger improvements in both symptoms than did those who were treated without surgery. At 2 years, 18.2% of the patients reported bothersome paresthesia, 16.6% reported bothersome leg pain, and 11.5% reported bothersome weakness. Among patients with no or little leg pain, 6.7% reported bothersome paresthesia and 5.1% bothersome weakness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During 2 years of follow-up, patients considered paresthesia more bothersome than weakness. At 2 years, the percentage of patients who reported bothersome paresthesia was similar to the percentage who reported bothersome leg pain. Based on patients' self-report, paresthesia and weakness are relevant aspects of disc-related sciatica.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Sykehuset Østfold Hospital Trust, 1603, Fredrikstad, Norway, largro@so-hf.no.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grøvle
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Natvig
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Brox
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grotle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications*; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D057566:Self Report