Diabetic patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spinal disorders could benefit from surgery, although older patients with diabetes may have more complications postoperatively, according to an article published in Spine.
As part of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial, researchers studied the baseline characteristics and outcomes of 199 patients with diabetes who underwent spine surgery. Their results were compared with those of non-diabetic patients, who made up the total of 2,405 patients enrolled in SPORT for the diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation, spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Patients with diabetes were on average significantly older and had higher body mass index than non-diabetic patients. Several comorbidities were listed with these patients as compared with non-diabetic patients. Patients with diabetes and intervertebral disc herniation did not make significant gains in pain and function with surgical intervention relative to those who underwent non-operative treatment.
Diabetic patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis experienced significantly greater improvements in pain and function with surgical intervention compared with the non-operative diabetic patients. Among those who received surgery, non-diabetic patients with spinal stenosis achieved marginally significantly greater gains in function than the diabetic patients.
Read the abstract for "The Impact of Diabetes on the Outcomes of Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment of Patients in the Spin Patient Outcomes Research Trial."
Read other coverage on spine surgery studies:
- Study Examines Medicolegal Suits Associated With Cervical Spine Surgery
- Study Outlines the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Study: Spinal Injections Reduce Pain in Most Patients, Help Cut Down Pain Medication Use
As part of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial, researchers studied the baseline characteristics and outcomes of 199 patients with diabetes who underwent spine surgery. Their results were compared with those of non-diabetic patients, who made up the total of 2,405 patients enrolled in SPORT for the diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation, spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Patients with diabetes were on average significantly older and had higher body mass index than non-diabetic patients. Several comorbidities were listed with these patients as compared with non-diabetic patients. Patients with diabetes and intervertebral disc herniation did not make significant gains in pain and function with surgical intervention relative to those who underwent non-operative treatment.
Diabetic patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis experienced significantly greater improvements in pain and function with surgical intervention compared with the non-operative diabetic patients. Among those who received surgery, non-diabetic patients with spinal stenosis achieved marginally significantly greater gains in function than the diabetic patients.
Read the abstract for "The Impact of Diabetes on the Outcomes of Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment of Patients in the Spin Patient Outcomes Research Trial."
Read other coverage on spine surgery studies:
- Study Examines Medicolegal Suits Associated With Cervical Spine Surgery
- Study Outlines the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Study: Spinal Injections Reduce Pain in Most Patients, Help Cut Down Pain Medication Use