A multicenter real-world review of 10 kHz SCS outcomes for treatment of chronic trunk and/or limb pain

Abstract

Objectives: High-frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) at 10 kHz has proven to be efficacious in the treatment of chronic back and leg pain in a randomized, controlled, trial (SENZA-RCT). However, large observational studies have yet to be published. Therefore, we performed a real-world, multicenter, retrospective, review of therapy efficacy in 1660 patients with chronic trunk and/or limb pain. Methods: Data were collected in a real-world environment and retrospectively sourced from a global database. Included patients were trialed and/or permanently implanted with HF-SCS at 10 kHz between April 2014 and January 2018. We evaluated responder rates at 3, 6, and 12 months post-implantation. Response was defined as ≥50% pain relief from baseline. A last visit analysis included responder rate along with overall change in function, sleep, quality of life, and medication intake versus baseline. Results: Eighty-four percent of our HF-SCS-treated patients had both chronic back and leg pain. At least 70% of patients reported response to therapy throughout 12 months of follow-up. This sustained responder rate was corroborated by the last visit value (74.1%). Most patients reported concomitant improvements in function (72.3%), sleep (68.0%), and quality of life (90.3%) at their last visit versus baseline. Thirty-two percent of patients reported decreased medication intake at their last visit. Interpretation: Sustained and effective pain relief was experienced by >70% of our HF-SCS-treated patients, consistent with the findings of a previously published randomized, controlled, trial. Our review provides complementary evidence to support the treatment of chronic back and leg pain with this therapy.