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Study finds 12-month outcomes after lumbar spine surgery may predict 24-month outcomes
Investigators of this study found outcome measures of surgical effectiveness collected at 12-months following lumbar spine surgery were accurate for predicting outcomes at 24 months.
Researchers used a prospective, multi-institutional spine outcomes registry to identify 969 patients. Of these, 300 patients underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF); 606 patients underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF); and 63 patients underwent lateral interbody fusion (LLIF). The patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up and outcomes were prospectively collected. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), SF-36, and VAS back pain and leg-pain scores were collected preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months postoperatively. Investigators used the Health Transition Index at 1 year and 2 years to determine the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). To determine whether the achieved MCID at 1 year accurately predicted improvement and the achievement of a MCID after 24 months, investigators performed logistic regression modeling.
Investigators found an association between the ODI, SF-36 physical component score, VAS-back pain and VAS-leg pain scores at 12 months and 24 months. They noted patients who underwent ALIF and achieved MCID thresholds after 12 months had a 13-fold greater chance of achieving MCID at 24 months. Patients who underwent TLIF who achieved MCID thresholds at 12 months also had a 13-fold greater chance of achieving MCID at 24 months, while patients who underwent LLIF had a 14-fold greater chance.
According to researchers, independent of the surgical approach, the outcome measures collected at 12 months were significant predictors for the outcomes seen at 24 months. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.