Spine surgeons and researchers presented four new studies at the North American Spine Society annual meeting in Chicago that focused on the psychosocial factors that can help spine surgeons predict the outcomes of treatment, according to a NASS news release.
In one study, researchers examined 150 patients who underwent revision lumbar surgery and found that an increasing preoperative Zung depression score was associated with less than two-year improvement in disability after revision surgery. The patients who were most depressed postoperatively experienced 2-4 fold less two-year disability improvement than the least depressed patients.
Another paper tested an algorithm for determining outcomes of a prognosis. For this study, 156 patients were categorized into three groups based on the new algorithm, comprised of objective psychosocial risk factors. The patients who were predicted to have good and fair-to-good outcomes had better surgical results and were more satisfied with their outcomes than patients who were rated poor and fair-to-poor.
A third study demonstrated that preoperative expectations can influence postoperative satisfaction in spine patients. The study examined 402 patients who underwent operative intervention. Significant predictors of increased satisfaction with the outcomes were pain relief, higher fulfillment of expectations regarding work, greater postoperative SF-36 and lower postoperative expectations regarding ability to exercise. Better postoperative function was associated with higher expectations regarding sleep as well as fulfillment of expectations regarding work and daily activities.
The final study analyzed whether preoperative patient expectations and SF-36 scores had effect on clinical outcomes. This study examined 79 patients who underwent one to three level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Patients who expected no postoperative pain during the preoperative period reported better postoperative pain scores on pain-specific and non-standardized outcome measure scale, as well as better overall clinical outcomes.
Related Articles on Spine Surgery:
Endoscopic Spine Surgery: 6 Things to Know About the Present and Future
Where Infuse Stands: 6 Points on the Controversial Spinal Fusion Product
10 Essentials for an Infection Control Program at Spine Centers
Another paper tested an algorithm for determining outcomes of a prognosis. For this study, 156 patients were categorized into three groups based on the new algorithm, comprised of objective psychosocial risk factors. The patients who were predicted to have good and fair-to-good outcomes had better surgical results and were more satisfied with their outcomes than patients who were rated poor and fair-to-poor.
A third study demonstrated that preoperative expectations can influence postoperative satisfaction in spine patients. The study examined 402 patients who underwent operative intervention. Significant predictors of increased satisfaction with the outcomes were pain relief, higher fulfillment of expectations regarding work, greater postoperative SF-36 and lower postoperative expectations regarding ability to exercise. Better postoperative function was associated with higher expectations regarding sleep as well as fulfillment of expectations regarding work and daily activities.
The final study analyzed whether preoperative patient expectations and SF-36 scores had effect on clinical outcomes. This study examined 79 patients who underwent one to three level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Patients who expected no postoperative pain during the preoperative period reported better postoperative pain scores on pain-specific and non-standardized outcome measure scale, as well as better overall clinical outcomes.
Related Articles on Spine Surgery:
Endoscopic Spine Surgery: 6 Things to Know About the Present and Future
Where Infuse Stands: 6 Points on the Controversial Spinal Fusion Product
10 Essentials for an Infection Control Program at Spine Centers