Sarcopenia and Epidural Steroid Injections in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This prospective observational study will enroll patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who are planned to receive an interlaminar epidural steroid injection as part of standard care. Before the procedure, researchers will assess sarcopenia using the SARC-F questionnaire, handgrip strength, and the five-times sit-to-stand test, and will review lumbar MRI for paraspinal muscle characteristics and stenosis severity. Outcomes such as pain, functional status, walking ability, and health-related quality of life will be measured at baseline and then again at 3 weeks and 3 months post-injection to see if sarcopenia and muscle characteristics influence these results.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical and radiological diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis
* Persistent symptoms despite conservative treatment and scheduled to undergo interlaminar epidural steroid injection as part of routine clinical care
* Age between 50 and 75 years
* Low back and/or leg pain for at least 3 months
* Availability of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of lumbar fusion surgery
* Lumbar epidural steroid injection within the previous 3 months
* Prominent radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation
* Severe motor deficit or an indication for surgical treatment
* Polyneuropathy, neuromuscular disease, or neurological disease that may significantly affect muscle mass
* Active malignancy or systemic inflammatory disease
* Significant mobility limitation due to advanced hip or knee osteoarthritis
* Cognitive impairment or communication problems that may prevent completion of study assessments
* Coagulopathy or active infection constituting a contraindication to epidural injection
* Inflammatory rheumatic disease requiring chronic corticosteroid therapy

Where it's running

• Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital
  Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Konuralp Karbeyaz
• Email: nurbanuhindioglu@gmail.com
• Phone: +90 216 625 45 45

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.