Gelalis ID, et al. - Researchers assessed the impact of lumbar microdiscectomy (LM) in pain, disability and quality of life in a 5-year period. They also identified the potential demographic and clinical risk factors. Findings suggested significant clinical improvement from the first postoperative month to the first postoperative year, however, they noted stabilization later on. The negative prognostic factors were feminine gender, urban residency, older age, low level of education, obesity and heavy physical occupation. An association of oddly smoking and alcohol with less pain was noted.