Epidural corticosteroids for spinal stenosis: a living systematic review

Clinical summary: This meta-analysis suggests that the clinical intervention is not clearly effective at 4-6 weeks. Effect noted by Fukusaki at one week from corticosteroids is similar to the effect of local anesthetics. However, the quality of evidence is low (see methods) due to imprecision of results and the heterogeneity or inconsistency of results. Additional interpretations may be in the references in the 'Cited by' section below.

Methods: This repository contains the source data, matching forest plots and GRADE profiles for an open meta-analysis of this intervention. This repository updates a previously published meta-analysis.(1)

Results: Details of the studies included are in the PICO table and risk of bias table. Rationale for studies excluded may be listed at the end of the references below. See see methods for details.

Below is the forest plot for the primary outcome. Forest plots for other outcomes may be available. 

Below is the GRADE Profile for the quality of primary outcome. 

References:

Systematic review(s)

####Most recent review at time of last revision of this repository

1. Ammendolia C, Stuber KJ, Rok E, Rampersaud R, Kennedy CA, Pennick V, Steenstra IA, de Bruin LK, Furlan AD. Nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 30;8:CD010712. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010712. PMID: 23996271.

Randomized controlled trials

New trial(s) not included in the most recent review above

1. Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA, Heagerty PJ, Deyo RA, Sullivan SD, Bauer Z, Bresnahan BW, Avins AL, Nedeljkovic SS, Nerenz DR, Standaert C, Kessler L, Akuthota V, Annaswamy T, Chen A, Diehn F, Firtch W, Gerges FJ, Gilligan C, Goldberg H, Kennedy DJ, Mandel S, Tyburski M, Sanders W, Sibell D, Smuck M, Wasan A, Won L, Jarvik JG. A randomized trial of epidural glucocorticoid injections for spinal stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 3;371(1):11-21. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1313265. PMID: 24988555.

Trial(s) included in the review above

1. Fukusaki M, Kobayashi I, Hara T, Sumikawa K. Symptoms of spinal stenosis do not improve after epidural steroid injection. Clin J Pain. 1998 Jun;14(2):148-51. PMID:9647457.

####Trials excluded - selected list of important trials

####Cited by This repository is cited by:

1. WikiDoc contributors. Spinal stenosis medical therapy. WikiDoc. Nov 9, 2014. Available at: http://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/Spinal_stenosis_medical_therapy. Accessed November 9, 2014.