Clinical analysis of demographic variables and factors contributing to outcomes in peripheral neuropathy secondary to lumbar spinal disorders following ozone therapy: A retrospective study

BackgroundNeuropathic pain secondary to lumbar spinal pathology is often refractory to conventional treatments, prompting interest in ozone therapy because of its anti-inflammatory and neuromodulatory effects. However, treatment outcomes vary, and factors influencing remission duration remain unclear.ObjectiveTo assess the influence of demographic variables and ozone therapy parameters on symptom remission duration in patients with lower-limb peripheral neuropathic pain treated with subcutaneous oxygen-ozone injections.MethodsThis retrospective study included 304 patients with lower-extremity neuropathic pain who achieved initial symptom remission after subcutaneous O₂/O₃ injections. The primary outcome was time to pain recurrence up to 18 years. Variables analyzed included age, sex, number of treatment sessions, and ozone concentration. All patients received a constant total ozone dose of 800 μg. Statistical analysis included two-way ANCOVA, Kruskal-Wallis testing, and Spearman correlation analysis.ResultsRecovery duration differed significantly according to patient age and ozone concentration. An optimal ozone concentration of approximately 21 μg O₃/mL O₂ was identified. Increasing ozone concentration was associated with a reduction in recovery duration of approximately 1.8% per unit increase. Age demonstrated a significant negative correlation with recovery duration (p < 0.01), with an estimated 0.2% decrease per additional year of age. No association was found between age and ozone concentration. Sex and number of treatment sessions were not significantly associated with outcome duration. Lower-to-middle ozone concentrations were associated with longer recovery duration.ConclusionSubcutaneous oxygen-ozone therapy provided sustained clinical benefit in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain secondary to lumbar spinal disorders. Demographic outcomes highlight the importance of individualized dose selection.