Stratifying sciatica patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stratifying patients with radicular pain (sciatica) using deep symptom and sensory profiling
IRAS ID
250566
Contact name
Paul Strutton
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Sciatica is a terms used to describe neuropathic pain that radiates down the leg. It frequently occurs as a result of a ‘slipped disc’ that causes compression of nerves in the lower back. It is a common problem which results in pain, interferes with sleep and makes everyday tasks difficult. Current management of the condition is poor, with many patients suffering until an optimal therapy is found (if at all).
The use of ‘disease-based treatment’ for patients with sciatica is evidently inadequate, as patients present with various associated signs, symptoms and pain qualities. It is therefore more appropriate to treat these neuropathic pain patients based on mechanisms or ‘drivers’ associated with different types of pain. Our hypothesis is that there are distinct groups of sciatica patients with different neuropathic pain and pain modulation profiles. It is anticipated that the results from this study will provide essential reference data for the development of future phenotype-stratified clinical trials for patients with sciatica.
This non-interventional observational study will use validated tests and questionnaires to investigate how neuropathic pain profiles and pain modulation differ between sciatica patients. This study will be conducted over 2 years at Imperial College London. Patients over 18 years with a disc herniation between the L4 – S1 levels are eligible to participate. The study will not impact the existing care for patients with sciatica.
The expected outcome will be more in-depth knowledge of the variability in neuropathic signs, symptoms, pain modulation and pain qualities in patients with sciatica. Having this critical insight will allow groups of patients with similar characteristics to be identified and will pave the way for optimised, patient-stratified care pathways in the future.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0081
Date of REC Opinion
23 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion