A total of 58 patients consecutively underwent surgical treatment for lumbar intervertebral foraminal stenosis. We performed a microsurgical combined transarticular lateral and medial procedure with partial facetectomy in all patients to decompress the affected nerve root. All patients underwent assessment of depressive symptoms by means of the Zung Self Depression Scale (SDS). Subjective pain was self-evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Both the tools were administered preoperatively, at 3 and 12 months' follow-up 0. The difference between the three SDS scores was significant (Friedman ANOVA, χ2 = 53.171, p < 0.00001). The Wilcoxon rank test showed significant difference between preoperative SDS scores as compared with three months follow-up (Z = -6.393, p < 0.0001) and the last, in turn, as compared with twelve months follow- up (Z = -3.720, p = 0.0002). The comparison between preoperative and 12 months' follow-up also reached significance (Z = -3.285, p = 0.001). About VAS, the difference between the three VAS scores was significant (Friedman ANOVA, χ2 = 69.932, p < 0.00001). The Wilcoxon rank test showed significant difference between preoperative VAS scores as compared with 3 months' follow-up (Z = -6.567, p < 0.0001) and the last, in turn, as compared with 12 months' follow-up (Z = -3.153, p < 0.002). The comparison between preoperative and 12 months' follow-up was also significance (Z = -5.520, p < 0.0001). Our results would alert clinicians to accurately consider the real need to treat and to include a careful psychiatric and psychological evaluation of these patients in the diagnosis and follow-up 0.

Keywords:
Depression, Lumbar stenosis, Surgical outcome
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© 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
2013
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