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.