TY - JOUR
T1 - Parenteral corticosteroids for Emergency Department patients with non-radicular low back pain
AU - Friedman, Benjamin W.
AU - Holden, Lynne
AU - Esses, David
AU - Bijur, Polly E.
AU - Choi, Hong K.
AU - Solorzano, Clemecia
AU - Paternoster, Joseph
AU - Gallagher, E. John
PY - 2006/11
Y1 - 2006/11
N2 - Although not recommended for low back pain, the efficacy of systemic corticosteroids has never been evaluated in a general low back pain population. To test the efficacy of systemic corticosteroids for Emergency Department (ED) patients with low back pain, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of long-acting methylprednisolone was conducted with follow-up assessment 1 month after ED discharge. Patients with non-traumatic low back pain were included if their straight leg raise test was negative. The primary outcome was a comparison of the change in a numerical rating scale (NRS) 1 month after discharge. Of 87 subjects randomized, 86 were successfully followed to the 1-month endpoint. The change in NRS between discharge and 1 month differed between the two groups by 0.6 (95% confidence interval -1.0 to 2.2), a clinically and statistically insignificant difference. Disability, medication use, and healthcare resources utilized were comparable in both groups. Corticosteroids do not seem to benefit patients with acute non-radicular low back pain.
AB - Although not recommended for low back pain, the efficacy of systemic corticosteroids has never been evaluated in a general low back pain population. To test the efficacy of systemic corticosteroids for Emergency Department (ED) patients with low back pain, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of long-acting methylprednisolone was conducted with follow-up assessment 1 month after ED discharge. Patients with non-traumatic low back pain were included if their straight leg raise test was negative. The primary outcome was a comparison of the change in a numerical rating scale (NRS) 1 month after discharge. Of 87 subjects randomized, 86 were successfully followed to the 1-month endpoint. The change in NRS between discharge and 1 month differed between the two groups by 0.6 (95% confidence interval -1.0 to 2.2), a clinically and statistically insignificant difference. Disability, medication use, and healthcare resources utilized were comparable in both groups. Corticosteroids do not seem to benefit patients with acute non-radicular low back pain.
KW - Low back pain
KW - emergency department
KW - methylprednisolone
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2005.09.023
DO - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2005.09.023
M3 - Article
C2 - 17046475
AN - SCOPUS:33749524182
SN - 0736-4679
VL - 31
SP - 365
EP - 370
JO - Journal of Emergency Medicine
JF - Journal of Emergency Medicine
IS - 4
ER -