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International Delphi Survey for Cauda Equina Syndrome

The problem and how we are trying to help

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is in most cases caused by sudden compression of the nerves coming off the end of the spinal cord. It can lead to significant short and long term effects, which affect a patient’s quality of life.
In the past, CES studies have used different ways of measuring the effects of the condition and treatment (outcomes). This means it is very difficult to compare results, see how these outcomes affect a patient’s quality of life and to decide which outcomes are important to improve.
Currently there is no defined “set of outcomes” for patients with CES, which are agreed to be the most important.
We are conducting an anonymous, international online questionnaire (Delphi survey) and a consensus meeting to address this. This includes patients and healthcare professionals.
This will produce an agreed “set of outcomes” that patients and healthcare professionals find important for future CES research studies to measure and report.
It will allow results of different studies to be brought together to develop a better understanding of what the best management is for CES patients. A short video is available that describes how this “set of outcomes” are developed.