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Preoperative mental health not linked with postoperative QoL after MIS for lumbar spine
According to the results of this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, preoperative mental health scores may not significantly correlate with quality of life scores measured after minimally invasive spine surgery.
Researchers compared the preoperative SF-36 Version 2 mental component summary scores (MCS) of 83 patients who underwent single-level minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery with their baseline, 6-month and 12-month postoperative outcomes on the VAS, ODI, MCS and SF-36 physical component summary subscale (PCS).
Although the investigators found no link between preoperative MCS scores and postoperative ODI, VAS or PCS scores, they discovered baseline disability aligned more closely with baseline MCS than baseline pain. In addition, outcomes disability correlated significantly with outcome back and leg pain levels.
Researchers concluded surgeons should consider the relationship between mental health, pain levels and patient disability in assessing quality of life during different patient time points. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.