Evaluating the effectiveness of genicular radiofrequency ablation for chronic knee pain using the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) global health-physical health domain: Results of a cross-sectional cohort study

Objective

Evaluate the effectiveness of genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (GNRFA) for chronic knee pain using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health, Physical Health score (PROMIS-GH-PH).

Methods

Patients who underwent GNRFA at a tertiary academic center were identified by CPT code query and contacted for consent. Demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics were collected from the electronic medical record of participants with baseline PROMIS-GH-PH scores. Outcome data were collected by standardized telephone survey. Treatment success was defined as a ≥2.3-point improvement in PROMIS-GH-PH score (the minimal clinically important difference [MCID]). Predictor variables of PROMIS score change were evaluated using univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses.

Results

32 patients (65.6 % female; 63.7 ± 10.7 years of age) met eligibility criteria and consented to be included in the study. In this cohort, 56.3 % (18/32; 95 % CI: 37.7–73.6) of patients reported improvement ≥ MCID on PROMIS-GH-PH at a mean follow-up time of 21.5 ± 10.6 months. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that patients who never smoked and those with a Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) osteoarthritis grade of 4 had significantly greater PROMIS-GH-PH score improvements at follow-up compared to current or former smokers and patients with KL grades of 0–3, respectively.

Conclusion

In this real-world cross-sectional cohort study, over 56 % of participants experienced improvment ≥ MCID on PROMIS-GH-PH after undergoing GFRNA for chronic knee pain. Non-smoking status and radiographically severe osteoarthritis were associated with greater PROMIS-GH-PH score improvements from baseline.