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Predictive value of 3-month outcome data following lumbar discectomy found similar to 1-year outcomes
Evidence in an observational prospective cohort study found 3-month outcomes for patients following lumbar discectomy who did not need reoperation were similar to 1-year outcomes, indicating the earlier outcome data may be used to accurately estimate outcomes at future time points.
The study included 148 patients in the NeuroPoint-SD Registry who underwent single-level lumbar discectomy to treat disc herniation. Researchers noted SF-36 and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) data preoperatively and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months postoperatively.
The overall follow-up at 1 year was 80.4%, and 11 patients required reoperation by 1-year follow-up. At 1-month follow-up, lumbar discectomy significantly improved SF-36 scores by 22.7 points and ODI scores by 20.4 points, and these improvements persisted throughout the 1-year follow up. However, patients who underwent a reoperation within the first year did not experience significant improvements in these scores.
Researchers found strong correlations between outcomes at 3 months and 1 year, and between 6 months and 1 year. In addition, the predicted quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained at 3 months and 6 months were similar to the actual QALYs gained at 1-year follow-up. Researchers noted that patients who see less improvement at 3 months may require additional evaluation.
“This study sets a foundation for providing guidelines for the duration of collection of patient-reported outcomes following lumbar discectomy. Significant cost savings would be realized by most centers participating in registries by restricting the collection of patient-reported outcome assessment to 3 months for evaluating lumbar discectomy outcome,” the researchers wrote. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosures: Whitmore reports no relevant financial disclosure. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.