Table 2.
Clinical Characteristics at Baseline in Groups with Differing Chronicity
| Characteristics | NCr (n=14) | Cr (n=16) | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex (M/F) | 6/8 | 5/11 | – |
| Age (y) | 62.86±9.05 | 55.12±13.57 | 0.081 |
| Body mass index | 25.78±3.79 | 25.15±3.51 | 0.642 |
| Pain duration (mo.) | 4.43±3.65 | 44.25±16.81 | 0.000** |
| VAS | 6.40±1.92 | 5.82±1.55 | 0.364 |
| SBI | 12.57±6.32 | 14.00±3.88 | 0.456 |
| RDQS | 9.64±5.21 | 11.43±4.05 | 0.298 |
| WHOQOL-BREF, total | 58.16±9.63 | 50.30±4.58 | 0.007** |
| Physical | 13.47±2.73 | 12.07±1.33 | 0.08 |
| Psychological | 14.57±2.87 | 12.17±1.39 | 0.006** |
| Social | 15.05±2.79 | 13.00±2.09 | 0.03* |
| Environmental | 15.07±2.34 | 13.06±1.50 | 0.009** |
Notes: The data are presented as the mean ± the standard deviation (SD). Data were compared using the independent t-test (for continuous variables). *p<0.05; **p<0.01.
Abbreviations: NCr, nonchronic sciatica group (pain duration, ≤12 months); Cr, chronic sciatica group (pain duration, >12 months); VAS, visual analog scale; SBI, Sciatica Bothersomeness Index; RDQS, Roland Disability Questionnaire for Sciatica; WHOQOL-BREF, the World Health Organization Quality of Life in the Brief Edition.