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Contact Information:

Prof Annina Schmid
+44 (0)1865 223254
annina.schmid@ndcn.ox.ac.uk


Prof Annina Schmid
+44 (0)1865 223254
annina.schmid@ndcn.ox.ac.uk


Prof Annina Schmid
+44 (0)1865 223254
annina.schmid@ndcn.ox.ac.uk


More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Factors predicting the transition from acute to persistent pain in people with ‘sciatica’-the FORECAST longitudinal prognostic factor cohort
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Factors predicting the transition from acute to persistent pain in people with ‘sciatica’-the FORECAST longitudinal prognostic factor cohort

Not Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Oxford

Medical Conditions

Acute/subacute sciatica/low back pain

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Sciatica is very common and is caused by injured or irritated nerves in the lower back. Sciatica causes pain, tingling or weakness in the leg. It can have a devastating effect on everyday life. For instance, patients cannot complete their normal work or care for their families. Sadly, about one in three patients develops persistent sciatica pain. We currently do not understand why some patients develop persistent pain and why some recover. Previous research has demonstrated that usual clinical findings (e.g., depression or routine MRI) cannot predict persistent sciatica. A different approach is therefore needed to identify who may develop persistent sciatica. This is the goal of the FORECAST study.

FORECAST is performed by a team of medical doctors, neuroscientists, statisticians, and MRI specialists at Oxford University. The team also includes patient partners who help us design and run our study. Our FORECAST study is different to previous studies. Whereas previous studies only included a short clinical examination, we will perform a detailed set of tests. We hope that the detailed tests can predict who develops persistent pain. The questions we hope to answer in the FORECAST study comprise whether the detailed tests identify different subgroups of patients with sciatica and which of these detailed tests predict pain persistence. The FORECAST study is a substudy of the PiPL platform. PiPL aims to understand prognostic factors for pain persistence and the nature of nerve-related pain in patients with different peripheral nerve injuries and includes many different substudies in different patient populations.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

15 May 2022 23 Sep 2024

Publications

2023 Protocol article in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37019481/ (added 06/04/2023)

The FORECAST study is a substudy of the PiPL study (IRAS 241777). In the first assessment, the team will perform detailed tests. This includes detailed sensory nerve testing (quantitative sensory testing) and a precise set of questionnaires to evaluate the type of pain and emotional well-being. A blood sample will also be taken to look for signs of inflammation. Some patients will receive specialised magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the microscopic structure of the small nerves in the back. These images are much more detailed and specialised than routine MRI scans. Patients will be contacted again three months and one year later, to ask whether they still have sciatica symptoms. Statistics will be used to identify patient subgroups and to find out which tests predict pain persistence.


Adults with recent onset of sciatica (symptoms<3 months)

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Presence of other nerve-related disorders (e.g. diabetic neuropathy, stroke)2. Previous lumbar spine surgery3. Serious spinal pathologies (e.g. infection, cauda equina syndrome, metastatic lesions)4. Chronic inflammatory disorders5. Other pain conditions that may confound assessment (e.g., fibromyalgia)6. Pregnancy7. Insufficient command of the English language to obtain consent/complete questionnaires8. Contraindications to MRI for those selected for scanning


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Oxford University
    Nuffield Department of Clincial Neurosciences John Radcliffe Hospital West Wing Level 6
    Oxford
    OX39DU

There is no direct benefit to participants, but the information we get might help improve the treatment of people with sciatica in the future.
There are no particular risks to this study. MRI is considered a safe procedure, and we will only invite people with no contraindications to MRI for scanning.
The results of the FORECAST study will help us better understand the complexity of sciatica and who develops persistent pain. The findings will also help future research. For instance, future studies can examine whether giving more specific treatment to patients who are likely to develop persistent pain can reduce chronic pain. It is hoped that the results of the FORECAST study will help reduce suffering and improve the quality of life for patients with sciatica.

Prof Annina Schmid
+44 (0)1865 223254
annina.schmid@ndcn.ox.ac.uk


Prof Annina Schmid
+44 (0)1865 223254
annina.schmid@ndcn.ox.ac.uk


Prof Annina Schmid
+44 (0)1865 223254
annina.schmid@ndcn.ox.ac.uk



More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.


The study is sponsored by University of Oxford and funded by UK Research and Innovation; Versus Arthritis; National Institute for Health and Care Research.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN18170726
Last updated 01 October 2024

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