title: Predictive Factors for Successful Outcome of Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment in Patients with Intractable Lumbosacral Radicular Pain.
abstract: In a previous prospective study on pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment adjacent to the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) for patients with chronic lumbosacral radicular pain, we reported success in 55.4% of the patients at 6 months. Identification of predictors for success after PRF may improve outcome. We assessed the predictors of PRF in patients with chronic intractable lumbosacral radicular pain.
  
  
  
  Patients with monosegmental chronic lumbosacral radicular pain of L5 or S1 first received a selective nerve root block at the corresponding level. Independent of the result of this block a PRF treatment at the same level was performed. At 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure the outcome was evaluated.
  
  
  
  A positive diagnostic nerve root block and age ≥ 55 were predictive factors for successful outcome at 6 months, while disability was a negative predictor.The use of failed back surgery syndrome, gender, duration of pain, Numerical Rating Scale, level and side of treatment, DN4, and RAND-36 as predictors for success was not supported.
  
  
  
  Successful outcome after PRF adjacent to the DRG, in patients with intractable chronic lumbosacral radicular pain, is more likely in patients ≥ 55 years, with limited disability and after a positive diagnostic nerve root block. A combination of all these factors creates a fair predictive value (AUC: 0.73).
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Sint-Jozefkliniek, Bornem & Willebroek, Belgium; koen.vb@telenet.be.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Boxem
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Anesthesiology and Pain Management, koen.vb@telenet.be.
authors.forename: Nelleke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Meij
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Anesthesiology and Pain Management.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patijn
authors.affiliation: Radiology, and.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilmink
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, VUMC Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Kleef
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Multidisciplinary Pain Center, ZOL, Genk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Zundert
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands;
authors.forename: Alfons
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kessels
keywords: Dorsal root ganglion; Lumbosacral radicular pain; Predictive; Pulsed radiofrequency; Radiofrequency