Anja Tschugg1, Wolfgang N Löscher2, Sara Lener3, Matthias Wildauer4, Sebastian Hartmann3, Sabrina Neururer5, Claudius Thomé3. 1. Departmen of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. anja.tschugg@i-med.ac.at. 2. Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. 3. Departmen of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. 4. Department of Neuroradiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. 5. Department of Medical Statistics and Health Economics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) gained popularity to evaluate the time course of recovery in sensory dysfunction and the results of different treatment options. Concerning sex differences in lumbar spine surgery, female gender seems to play a major role as a negative prognostic factor in different spinal disorders. For this purpose, we hypothesised that there are also comparable differences in pain patterns in men and women after lumbar sequestrectomy using QST. METHODS: We applied the QST protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain in 53 patients (21 women and 32 men) with a single lumbar disc herniation confirmed on MRI treated by a lumbar sequestrectomy. Further evaluation included a detailed medical history, a physical examination, and various questionnaires: Beck-Depression-Inventory, Oswestry Disability Index, Core Outcome Measure Index, painDETECT-Questionnaire and EQ-5D thermometer. RESULTS: Our analyses showed lower heat thresholds in females preoperatively, that adjusted to that of males 1 week postoperatively. Pressure pain thresholds were lower in women as well, but differed between genders throughout the study. Vibration perception deficits resolve earlier in female than in male patients. Both, women and men, had an excellent overall improvement, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Our results clearly revealed pre- and postoperative differences in pain perception between genders. These differences have to be taken into account in the evaluation of outcome between genders. Therefore, QST seems to be a good method to evaluate the time course of recovery after surgery.
BACKGROUND: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) gained popularity to evaluate the time course of recovery in sensory dysfunction and the results of different treatment options. Concerning sex differences in lumbar spine surgery, female gender seems to play a major role as a negative prognostic factor in different spinal disorders. For this purpose, we hypothesised that there are also comparable differences in pain patterns in men and women after lumbar sequestrectomy using QST. METHODS: We applied the QST protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain in 53 patients (21 women and 32 men) with a single lumbar disc herniation confirmed on MRI treated by a lumbar sequestrectomy. Further evaluation included a detailed medical history, a physical examination, and various questionnaires: Beck-Depression-Inventory, Oswestry Disability Index, Core Outcome Measure Index, painDETECT-Questionnaire and EQ-5D thermometer. RESULTS: Our analyses showed lower heat thresholds in females preoperatively, that adjusted to that of males 1 week postoperatively. Pressure pain thresholds were lower in women as well, but differed between genders throughout the study. Vibration perception deficits resolve earlier in female than in male patients. Both, women and men, had an excellent overall improvement, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Our results clearly revealed pre- and postoperative differences in pain perception between genders. These differences have to be taken into account in the evaluation of outcome between genders. Therefore, QST seems to be a good method to evaluate the time course of recovery after surgery.
Authors: Anja Tschugg; Wolfgang N Löscher; Sebastian Hartmann; Sabrina Neururer; Matthias Wildauer; Claudius Thomé Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2015-06-24 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: R Rolke; R Baron; C Maier; T R Tölle; - D R Treede; A Beyer; A Binder; N Birbaumer; F Birklein; I C Bötefür; S Braune; H Flor; V Huge; R Klug; G B Landwehrmeyer; W Magerl; C Maihöfner; C Rolko; C Schaub; A Scherens; T Sprenger; M Valet; B Wasserka Journal: Pain Date: 2006-05-11 Impact factor: 6.961
Authors: Dino Samartzis; Jaro Karppinen; Florence Mok; Daniel Y T Fong; Keith D K Luk; Kenneth M C Cheung Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2011-04-06 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: A F Mannion; F Porchet; F S Kleinstück; F Lattig; D Jeszenszky; V Bartanusz; J Dvorak; D Grob Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2009-03-19 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Jani Takatalo; Jaro Karppinen; Simo Taimela; Jaakko Niinimäki; Jaana Laitinen; Roberto Blanco Sequeiros; Dino Samartzis; Raija Korpelainen; Simo Näyhä; Jouko Remes; Osmo Tervonen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-02-13 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Christa K Raak; Thomas Ostermann; Anna-Li Schönenberg-Tu; Oliver Fricke; David D Martin; Sibylle Robens; Wolfram Scharbrodt Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-04-22 Impact factor: 4.964
Authors: Sara Lener; Christoph Wipplinger; Sebastian Hartmann; Claudius Thomé; Anja Tschugg Journal: Neurosurg Rev Date: 2019-08-14 Impact factor: 3.042