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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 3 of 3 Research Studies DisplayedCuratolo M, Rundell SD, Gold LS
Long-term effectiveness of epidural steroid injections after new episodes of low back pain in older adults.
The purpose of this prospective study was to compare older adults undergoing epidural steroid injections (ESI) with patients not receiving ESI to test the hypotheses that those on ESI: 1) have worse outcomes before ESI, 2) have improved outcomes after ESI, and 3) have improved outcomes due to a specific ESI effect. The researchers evaluated patients 65 years of age or older from 3 United States health care systems who presented to primary care with new episodes of back pain. The three outcomes assessed were back and leg pain intensity, disability, and quality of life, all of which were evaluated at baseline, and then with 3-, 6-, 12- and 24- month follow-ups. The study found that in ESI patients, pain intensity, disability, and quality of life at baseline were significantly worse than in non-ESI patients. The study concluded that adults 65 and older who were treated with ESI have long-term improvement, but the improvement is not likely to be related to a specific effect of ESI, making epidural steroid injections unlikely to provide long-term benefits.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222; HS022972.
Citation: Curatolo M, Rundell SD, Gold LS .
Long-term effectiveness of epidural steroid injections after new episodes of low back pain in older adults.
Eur J Pain 2022 Aug;26(7):1469-80. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1975..
Keywords: Elderly, Back Health and Pain, Pain, Treatments
Fritz JM, Rundell SD, Dougherty P
Deconstructing chronic low back pain in the older adult-step by step evidence and expert-based recommendations for evaluation and treatment. Part vi: Lumbar spinal stenosis.
This article is the sixth in a series of articles designed to deconstruct chronic low back pain (CLBP) in older adults. It focuses on the evaluation and management of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), the most common condition for which older adults undergo spinal surgery. It concluded that lumbar spinal stenosis exists not uncommonly in older adults with CLBP and management often can be accomplished without surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Fritz JM, Rundell SD, Dougherty P .
Deconstructing chronic low back pain in the older adult-step by step evidence and expert-based recommendations for evaluation and treatment. Part vi: Lumbar spinal stenosis.
Pain Med 2016 Mar;17(3):501-10. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnw011..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Elderly, Chronic Conditions, Treatments, Surgery
Rundell SD, Sherman KJ, Heagerty PJ
Patient-reported outcomes associated with use of physical therapist services by older adults with a new visit for back pain.
The researchers conducted an observational comparative effectiveness research study to investigate the association between types or amounts of physical therapist services and outcomes, such as disability and pain intensity, among older adults. Higher amounts of active physical therapy were associated with decreased back and leg pain and increased odds of clinically meaningful improvements in back and leg pain relative to results obtained with no active physical therapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222.
Citation: Rundell SD, Sherman KJ, Heagerty PJ .
Patient-reported outcomes associated with use of physical therapist services by older adults with a new visit for back pain.
Phys Ther 2015 Feb;95(2):190-201. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20140132..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Comparative Effectiveness, Treatments, Elderly