demographic data
| Demographic data | Etanercept (n = 10) | Methyl-prednisolone (n = 10) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD, standard deviation. | |||
| *One patient with S1 radiculopathy refused imaging (see text). | |||
| Age (years), mean (SD) | 45.0 (11.9) | 49.4 (14.6) | NS |
| Sex (male/female) | 6/4 | 4/6 | NS |
| Duration of sciatica (weeks), mean (SD) | 2.7 (1.8) | 3.7 (5.5) | NS |
| Disc level: | |||
| L3 – L4 | 4 | 2 | NS |
| L4 – L5 | 2 | 4 | |
| L5 – S1 | 3* | 4 | |
| Muscle weakness | 6 | 6 | NS |
| Sensory deficit | 6 | 7 | NS |
| Reflex deficit | 5 | 5 | NS |
| Past history of back pain | 5 | 6 | NS |
| Past history of leg pain | 3 | 4 | NS |