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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients awaiting spinal cord stimulation surgery in the United Kingdom: a multi-centre patient survey.
Baranidharan, Ganesan; Bretherton, Beatrice; Eldabe, Sam; Mehta, Vivek; Thomson, Simon; Sharma, Manohar Lal; Vajramani, Girish; Bojanic, Stana; Gulve, Ashish; FitzGerald, James; Hall, Samuel; Firth, Julie.
  • Baranidharan G; Leeds Pain and Neuromodulation Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
  • Bretherton B; School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
  • Eldabe S; Leeds Pain and Neuromodulation Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
  • Mehta V; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
  • Thomson S; Department of Pain Medicine, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.
  • Sharma ML; Pain and Anaesthesia Research Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
  • Vajramani G; Department of Anaesthesiology, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals, Basildon, UK.
  • Bojanic S; Department of Pain Medicine, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
  • Gulve A; Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK.
  • FitzGerald J; Department of Neurosurgery, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
  • Hall S; Department of Pain Medicine, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.
  • Firth J; Department of Neurosurgery, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Br J Pain ; 15(3): 282-290, 2021 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-727255
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a recommended treatment for chronic refractory neuropathic pain. During the COVID-19 pandemic, elective procedures have been postponed indefinitely both to provide capacity to deal with the emergency caseload and to avoid exposure of elective patients to COVID-19. This survey aimed to explore the effect of the pandemic on chronic pain in this group and the views of patients towards undergoing SCS treatment when routine services should resume.

METHODS:

This was a prospective, multi-centre telephone patient survey that analysed data from 330 patients with chronic pain who were on an SCS waiting list. Questions focussed on severity of pain, effect on mental health, medication consumption and reliance on support networks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Views towards undergoing SCS therapy were also ascertained. Counts and percentages were generated, and chi-square tests of independence explored the impact of COVID-19 risk (very high, high, low) on survey responses.

RESULTS:

Pain, mental health and patient's ability to self-manage pain deteriorated in around 47%, 50% and 38% of patients, respectively. Some patients reported increases in pain medication consumption (37%) and reliance on support network (41%). Patients showed a willingness to attend for COVID-19 testing (92%), self-isolate prior to SCS (94%) and undergo the procedure as soon as possible (76%).

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a strong clinical need for patients with chronic pain identified as likely SCS responders to be treated quickly. The current prioritisation of new SCS at category 4 (delayed more than 3 months) is challenged judging by this national survey. These patients are awaiting SCS surgery to relieve severe intractable neuropathic pain. A priority at category 3 (delayed up to 3 months) or in some selected cases, at category 2 are the appropriate priority categories.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Br J Pain Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 2049463720948092

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Br J Pain Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 2049463720948092