Exploring Patient Satisfaction and Other Outcome Measures With Pain Relief in Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Single-Site, Cohort Audit

Context Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an approved treatment for chronic pain of neuropathic origin. Initial research suggests a close relationship between pain relief and patient satisfaction with SCS. Objectives To see whether similar patterns were observed in our center and to identify areas of improvement, this single-site, cohort audit explored the association between pain relief and satisfaction as well as specific factors that influence satisfaction at follow-up in patients with fully implanted SCS. Methods Age, gender, pain condition, SCS system, average pain (numerical rating scale, NRS), and worst pain (NRS) scores at baseline and the most recent follow-up visit were collected. Percentage change in average pain was calculated, and the patients were allocated to one of three pain improvement groups: <30%, 30%-50%, or >50%. A telephone survey explored patient outcomes including patient satisfaction, sleep, fatigue, quality of life (QoL), walking ability, and medication use. Chi-square tests of independence were performed. Results The final sample comprised 87 patients (<30%: n = 26; 30%-50%: n = 29; >50%: n = 32). The pain improvement group was significantly associated with satisfaction (p = 0.010): all patients in the >50% improvement group reported being either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with SCS. The pain improvement group was also significantly associated with change in sleep (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.001), QoL (p = 0.003), and opioid consumption (p = 0.010). Improvements were most frequently reported in the >50% improvement group. Conclusion Findings point to an association between pain relief and patient satisfaction with SCS. Other factors, including sleep, fatigue, QoL, and opioid consumption, may influence this association and deserve further exploration.