Comparison of benefit rate from facet joint injection therapy in smokers and non-smokers with chronic low back pain

Aims: In Pain Clinics, facet joint injections are routinely performed for therapeutic purposes in patients with facet joint-related low back pain. In this study, we aimed to compare smokers and non-smokers in terms of the frequency of benefit from facet joint injection. Methods: Patients older than 18 years of age who underwent facet joint injection in the Pain Management Operating Room between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019 were included in the study. After scanning patient files for demographic data and pain scores, the patients were contacted to record their pre-procedure and post-procedure 6-month NRS scores and smoking history. Results: A total of 234 patients with a median age of 60.6 (min:20, max:90) were included. Facet joint injections demonstrated a significant decrease in pain scores. There was no relationship between smoking status and pre-procedural pain (p = 0.976) or post-procedure NRS scores (p = 0.649). Conclusion: Our results showed that smoking status was unassociated with pre- and post-procedural pain scores.