The Influence of Comorbidity on Postoperative Outcomes Following Lumbar Decompression

Study Design:

Retrospective.

Objective:

Evaluate the association between comorbidity burden and reaching minimum clinically important difference (MCID) following lumbar decompression (LD).

Summary of Background Data:

There is limited research on the influence of preoperative comorbidity burden on patient-reported outcome improvement following LD.

Methods:

A prospectively maintained surgical registry was retrospectively reviewed for eligible spine surgeries between 2015 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were primary, single, or multilevel LD. Patients were excluded for missing preoperative patient-reported outcome surveys. Stratification was based on Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score: 0 points (no comorbidities), 1–2 points (low CCI), ≥3 points (high CCI). Demographics and perioperative characteristics were evaluated for differences. Linear regression assessed postoperative improvement for visual analogue scale (VAS) back, VAS leg, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Short Form-12 Physical Composite Score (SF-12 PCS), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS-PF) scores through 1 year. Achievement rate of MCID was compared between groups and evaluated for significant predictors.

Results:

Three hundred fourteen patients were included (123 no comorbidities, 100 low CCI, 91 high CCI). Higher CCI patients were older, more likely to smoke, and have comorbid diseases (all P

Source: Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques - July 30, 2021 Category: Surgery Tags: Primary Research Source Type: research