Extent of preoperative depression is associated with return to work after lumbar fusion for spondylolisthesis

The impact of pre-operative depression on pain outcomes after major surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Symptoms of depression are common among patients before surgery. Depression may be associated with worse postoperative pain and other pain-related outcomes. This review aimed to characterise the impact of pre-operative depression on postoperative pain outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of observational studies that reported an association between pre-operative depression and pain outcomes after major surgery. Multilevel random effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool standardised mean differences and 95%CI for postoperative pain scores in patients with depression compared with those without depression, at different time intervals. A meta-analysis was performed for studies reporting change in pain scores from the pre-operative period to any time-point after surgery. Sixty studies (n = 501,962) were included in the overall review, of which 18 were eligible for meta-analysis. Pre-operative depression was associated with greater pain scores at < 72 h (standardised mean difference 0.97 (95%CI 0.37-1.56), p = 0.009, I2  = 41%; moderate certainty) and > 6 months (standardised mean difference 0.45 (95%CI 0.23-0.68), p < 0.001, I2  = 78%; low certainty) after surgery, but not at 3-6 months after surgery (standardised mean difference 0.54 (95%CI -0.06-1.15), p = 0.07, I2  = 83%; very low certainty). The change in pain scores from pre-operative baseline to 1-2 years after surgery was similar between patients with and without pre-operative depression (standardised mean difference 0.13 (95%CI -0.06-0.32), p = 0.15, I2  = 54%; very low certainty). Overall, pre-existing depression before surgery was associated with worse pain severity postoperatively. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating psychological care into current postoperative pain management approaches in patients with depression.

Implications of Preoperative Depression for Lumbar Spine Surgery Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Comorbid depression is common among patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease. Although a well-researched topic, the evidence of the role of depression in spine surgery outcomes remains inconclusive.

Objective

To investigate the association between preoperative depression and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after lumbar spine surgery.

Data Sources

A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, Scopus, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed from database inception to September 14, 2023.

Study Selection

Included studies involved adults undergoing lumbar spine surgery and compared PROMs in patients with vs those without depression. Studies evaluating the correlation between preoperative depression and disease severity were also included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

All data were independently extracted by 2 authors and independently verified by a third author. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to synthesize data, and I2 was used to assess heterogeneity. Metaregression was performed to identify factors explaining the heterogeneity.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the standardized mean difference (SMD) of change from preoperative baseline to postoperative follow-up in PROMs of disability, pain, and physical function for patients with vs without depression. Secondary outcomes were preoperative and postoperative differences in absolute disease severity for these 2 patient populations.

Results

Of the 8459 articles identified, 44 were included in the analysis. These studies involved 21 452 patients with a mean (SD) age of 57 (8) years and included 11 747 females (55%). Among these studies, the median (range) follow-up duration was 12 (6-120) months. The pooled estimates of disability, pain, and physical function showed that patients with depression experienced a greater magnitude of improvement compared with patients without depression, but this difference was not significant (SMD, 0.04 [95% CI, -0.02 to 0.10]; I2 = 75%; P = .21). Nonetheless, patients with depression presented with worse preoperative disease severity in disability, pain, and physical function (SMD, -0.52 [95% CI, -0.62 to -0.41]; I2 = 89%; P < .001), which remained worse postoperatively (SMD, -0.52 [95% CI, -0.75 to -0.28]; I2 = 98%; P < .001). There was no significant correlation between depression severity and the primary outcome. A multivariable metaregression analysis suggested that age, sex (male to female ratio), percentage of comorbidities, and follow-up attrition were significant sources of variance.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that, although patients with depression had worse disease severity both before and after surgery compared with patients without depression, they had significant potential for recovery in disability, pain, and physical function. Further investigations are needed to examine the association between spine-related disability and depression as well as the role of perioperative mental health treatments.

Preoperative Zung depression scale predicts outcomes in older patients undergoing short-segment fusion surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal disease

PURPOSE

To identify the relationship between depression measured by Zung depression rating scale (ZDRS) and postoperative outcomes (including the patients reported outcomes [PRO] and clinical outcomes) two years after short-segment fusion surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal disease in older patients (aged 75 years and older).

METHODS

We enrolled patients who underwent short-segment fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative disease from May 2018 to June 2020. All patients were assessed for depression using the ZDRS. Patients were included in the depression group and not-depressed group based on their scores. Preoperative baseline data were collected on characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory data, pain levels (visual analogue scale [VAS]), functional status (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), and surgery-related variables. The primary outcomes were PRO measures, including VAS, ODI and satisfaction two years after lumbar fusion surgery. Other outcomes included postoperative complications, the length of stay, and reoperation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for poor satisfaction.

RESULTS

A total of 231 patients (201 in not-depressed and 30 in depressed group) were enrolled in this study. There were no significant differences between the two groups for baseline data. Depressed group had higher rates of choices for dissatisfaction (36.7% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.015), higher VAS scores of low back pain (2.8 ± 2.3 vs. 1.6 ± 1.7, p = 0.012), and worse functional status (31.5 ± 22.5 vs 21.8 ± 19.9, p = 0.015) than the not-depressed group. Depressed patients reported significantly higher rates of postoperative complications and readmissions. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that depression (p = 0.001) was independently associated with postoperative dissatisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative depression was a risk factor for postoperative dissatisfaction, worse functional status, readmission, and complications in older patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Preoperative screening using the Zung depression scale helps inform decision-making when considering fusion surgery for patients aged 75 and older.

Patient Satisfaction Following Lumbar Decompression: What is the Role of Mental Health?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between patient-reported depressive symptoms and patient satisfaction following minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MIS LD) METHODS: Primary, single/multilevel MIS LD were identified. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) collected pre-/post-operatively included VAS back/leg, ODI, PHQ-9, and SF-12 MCS. Patients rated current satisfaction level (0-10) with back/leg pain and disability. Paired Student's t-test compared each postoperative PROM score to its preoperative baseline. At each timepoint, patients were categorized by PHQ-9 and SF-12 MCS scores. One-way ANOVA compared patient satisfaction with back/leg pain and disability among PHQ-9 subgroups. Student's t-test for independent samples compared patient satisfaction between SF-12 MCS subgroups. ANCOVA assessed differences in satisfaction between depression subgroups while controlling for pre-/post-operative values in corresponding PROMs.

RESULTS

193 patients were included. All PROMs demonstrated significant postoperative improvement from 6-weeks through 2-years(p<0.001,all) except PHQ-9 2-years(p=0.874). Mean satisfaction scores ranged from 6.9-7.9(back pain), 7.3-8.0(leg pain), and 7.6-8.0(disability). Satisfaction with back/leg pain and disability significantly differed among PHQ-9 subgroups at all postoperative timepoints(p<0.001,all). Accounting for baseline and current pain/disability values, ANCOVA revealed differences between PHQ-9 subgroups only in satisfaction with back pain 2-years(p<0.001), leg pain 12-weeks/1-year/2-years(p≤0.047,all), and disability 6-months/2-years(p≤0.049,both). Satisfaction differed between SF-12 MCS subgroups at all timepoints(p≤0.047), except back pain 6-months(p=0.263). Accounting for baseline and postoperative pain/disability, ANCOVA revealed differences in satisfaction between SF-12 MCS groups only for back/leg pain 2-years(p≤0.001,both).

CONCLUSION

Independent effect of depression at long-term follow-up was significant. This highlights the importance of understanding the interaction between physical and mental health outcomes to optimize patients' perceptions of surgical outcome.

Management of degenerative spondylolisthesis: development of appropriate use criteria

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Outcomes of treatment in care of patients with spinal disorders are directly related to patient selection and treatment indications. However, for many disorders, there is absence of consensus for precise indications. With the increasing emphasis on quality and value in spine care, it is essential that treatment recommendations and decisions are optimized.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the North American Spine Society Appropriate Use Criteria was to determine the appropriate (ie reasonable) multidisciplinary treatment recommendations for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis across a spectrum of more common clinical scenarios.

STUDY DESIGN

A Modified Delphi process was used.

METHODS

The methodology was based on the Appropriate Use Criteria development process established by the Research AND Development Corporation. The topic of degenerative spondylolisthesis was selected by the committee, key modifiers determined, and consensus reached on standard definitions. A literature search and evidence analysis were completed by one work group simultaneously as scenarios were written, reviewed, and finalized by another work group. A separate multidisciplinary rating group was assembled. Based on the literature, provider experience, and group discussion, each scenario was scored on a nine-point scale on two separate occasions, once without discussion and then a second time following discussion based on the initial responses. The median rating for each scenario was then used to determine if indications were rarely appropriate (1 - 3), uncertain (4-6), or appropriate (7-9). Consensus was not mandatory.

RESULTS

There were 131 discrete scenarios. These addressed questions on bone grafting, imaging, mechanical instability, radiculopathy with or without neurological deficits, obesity, and yellow flags consisting of psychosocial and medical comorbidities. For most of these, appropriateness was established for physical therapy, injections, and various forms of surgical intervention. The diagnosis of spondylolisthesis should be determined by an upright x-ray. Scenarios pertaining to bone grafting suggested that patients should quit smoking prior to surgery, and that use of BMP should be reserved for patients who had risk factors for non-union. Across all clinical scenarios, physical therapy (PT) had an adjusted mean of 7.66, epidural steroid injections 5.76, and surgery 4.52. Physical therapy was appropriate in most scenarios, and most appropriate in patients with back pain and no neurological deficits. Epidural steroid injections were most appropriate in patients with radiculopathy. Surgery was generally more appropriate for patients with neurological deficits, higher disability scores, and dynamic spondylolisthesis. Mechanical back pain and presence of yellow flags tended to be less appropriate, and obesity in general had relatively little influence on decision making. Decompression alone was more strongly considered in the presence of static versus dynamic spondylolisthesis. On average, posterior fusion with or without interbody fusion was similarly appropriate, and generally more appropriate than stand-alone interbody fusion which was in turn more appropriate than interspinous spacers.

CONCLUSIONS

Multidisciplinary appropriate treatment criteria were generated based on the Research AND Development methodology. While there were consistent and significant differences between surgeons and non-surgeons, these differences were generally very small. This document provides comprehensive evidence-based recommendations for evaluation and treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis. The document in its entirety will be found on the North American Spine Society website (https://www.spine.org/Research-Clinical-Care/Quality-Improvement/Appropriate-Use-Criteria).

Best versus worst surgical outcomes after single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis

PURPOSE

Previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding the factors affecting the clinical outcome after fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis. However, no study has compared the best and worst clinical outcome groups using patient-reported outcome measures. We aimed to compare the characteristics of patients with best and worst outcomes following single-level lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis.

METHODS

200 patients underwent single-level interbody fusion with a minimum 2-years follow-up were included. We excluded patients with surgical complications already-known to be associated with poor postoperative outcomes, including pseudoarthrosis and postoperative infection. According to 2-year postoperative Oswestry disability index scores, patients were divided into two groups; Best and Worst. Demographic, clinical and radiographic variables were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared with patients in the Best group, those in the Worst group were older (59.5 and 67.0 years, respectively; p = 0.012; odds ratio [OR], 1.143; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.030-1.269) and had a longer duration of pain from onset (2.6 and 7.2 years, respectively; p = 0.041; OR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.001-1.041). The cutoff value of pain duration from onset was measured as ≥3.5 years on Receiver operating characteristic analysis. Patients in the Worst group had a lower preoperative angular motion compared to those in the Best group (12.7° and 8.3°, respectively; p = 0.016; OR, 0.816; 95% CI, 0.691-0.963).

CONCLUSIONS

Degenerative spondylolisthesis patients of good clinical outcome after single-level lumbar interbody fusion were relatively young, had a short symptom duration before surgery, and a high preoperative instability compared with the patient having poor postoperative clinical outcome. Therefore, these findings should be considered preoperatively when deciding the appropriate individual treatment plan.

Are Patient-Reported Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Influenced by Preoperative Mental Health?

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have described the relationship between mental health and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after minimally invasive spine surgery. Prior studies on open surgery included small cohorts with short follow-ups.

METHODS

Patients undergoing primary minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for degenerative pathology were retrospectively reviewed and stratified by Short Form (SF-36) Mental Component Summary (MCS): low MCS (<50, n = 436) versus high MCS (≥50, n = 363). PROMs assessed were back pain, leg pain, North American Spine Society Neurogenic Symptoms, Oswestry Disability Index, SF-36 Physical Component Summary, and MCS. Satisfaction, expectation fulfilment, and return to work (RTW) rates also were recorded at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years.

RESULTS

Preoperative MCS was 39.4 ± 8.6 and 58.5 ± 5.4 in the low and high MCS groups, respectively (P < .001). The low MCS group had significantly poorer preoperative PROMs and longer lengths of stay. Despite this, both groups achieved comparable PROMs from 3 months onward. The mean MCS was no longer significantly different by 3 months (P = .353). The low MCS group had poorer satisfaction (P = .022) and expectation fulfilment (P = .020) at final follow-up. RTW rates were initially lower in the low MCS group up to 3 months (P = .034), but the rates converged from 6 months onward.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite poorer PROMs preoperatively, patients with poor baseline mental health still achieved comparable results from 3 months up to 2 years after MIS-TLIF. Preoperative optimization of mental health should still be pursued to improve satisfaction and prevent delayed RTW after surgery.

Correlating Psychological Comorbidities and Outcomes After Spine Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Literature review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this literature review is to examine the effects of psychological disorders on postoperative complications, surgical outcomes, and long-term narcotic use. We also hope to detail the value of preoperative identification and treatment of these pathologies.

METHODS

A series of systematic reviews of the relevant literature examining the effects of psychological disorders and spine surgery was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane databases.

RESULTS

Combined, the database queries yielded 2275 articles for consideration. After applying screening criteria, 96 articles were selected for inclusion. Patients with underlying psychological disease have higher rates of delirium, readmission, longer hospital stays, and higher rates of nonroutine discharge following spine surgery. They also have higher rates of chronic postoperative narcotic use and may experience worse surgical outcomes. Because of these defined issues, researchers have developed multiple screening tools to help identify patients with psychological disorders preoperatively for potential treatment. Treatment of these disorders prior to surgery may significantly improve surgical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Patients with psychological disorders represent a unique population with respect to their higher rates of spinal pain complaints, postoperative complications, and worsened functional outcomes. However, proper identification and treatment of these conditions prior to surgery may significantly improve many outcome measures in this population. Future investigations in this field should attempt to develop and validate current strategies to identify and treat individuals with psychological disorders before surgery to further improve outcomes.

Is the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Associated With Outcomes After Lumbar Spine Surgery?

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort.

OBJECTIVES

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was developed to provide clinicians a reliable, valid, and practical tool to identify and quantify the anxiety and depression in medical patients. Several studies have shown that patients with chronic low back pain may have subclinical depression and impairments in mental health and that these in turn may lead to less than optimal results after lumbar spine surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine if there are associations between preoperative HADS and differences in pre- and postoperative health-related quality-of-life (HRQOLs) scores after spine surgery.

METHODS

From a single center, a consecutive series of patients completed the HADS, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain. Except for HADS, the patients completed the same HRQOLs 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

Of 308 eligible cases, 208 (68%) had follow-up data available and were included in the analysis. Patients in the HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A) Abnormal category had the worst preoperative HRQOLs but had the greatest improvement in 1-year postoperative scores. Except for VAS Leg Pain, preoperative HRQOLs were better in patients in the HADS-Depressed (HADS-D) Normal category. Patients in the HADS-D Abnormal category had statistically significantly greater improvement in 1-year postoperative EQ-5D and ODI scores when compared with the other cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Worse HADS-A and HADS-D scores are associated with worse preoperative HRQOL scores in patients with lumbar degenerative disorders scheduled for spine surgery. However, similar improvements in HRQOLs can be expected 1 year postoperative regardless of the patients' HADS scores.

Correlation of return to work with patient satisfaction after surgery for lumbar spondylolisthesis: an analysis of the Quality Outcomes Database

OBJECTIVE

Return to work (RTW) and satisfaction are important outcome measures after surgery for degenerative spine disease. The authors queried the prospective Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) to determine if RTW correlated with patient satisfaction.

METHODS

The QOD was queried for patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. The primary outcome of interest was correlation between RTW and patient satisfaction, as measured by the North American Spine Society patient satisfaction index (NASS). Secondarily, data on satisfied patients were analyzed to see what patient factors correlated with RTW.

RESULTS

Of 608 total patients in the QOD spondylolisthesis data set, there were 292 patients for whom data were available on both satisfaction and RTW status. Of these, 249 (85.3%) were satisfied with surgery (NASS score 1–2), and 224 (76.7%) did RTW after surgery. Of the 68 patients who did not RTW after surgery, 49 (72.1%) were still satisfied with surgery. Of the 224 patients who did RTW, 24 (10.7%) were unsatisfied with surgery (NASS score 3–4). There were significantly more people who had an NASS score of 1 in the RTW group than in the non-RTW group (71.4% vs 42.6%, p < 0.05). Failure to RTW was associated with lower level of education, worse baseline back pain (measured with a numeric rating scale), and worse baseline disability (measured with the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]).

CONCLUSIONS

There are a substantial number of patients who are satisfied with surgery even though they did not RTW. Patients who were satisfied with surgery and did not RTW typically had worse preoperative back pain and ODI and typically did not have a college education. While RTW remains an important measure after surgery, physicians should be mindful that patients who do not RTW may still be satisfied with their outcome.

Preoperative Mental Health May Not Be Predictive of Improvements in Patient-Reported Outcomes Following a Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Background

Prior literature has associated poor preoperative mental health with inferior patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after spinal procedures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test for association of preoperative Short Form 12 (SF-12) mental health composite score (MCS) with improvements in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and back and leg visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores after a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

Methods

A surgical database of patients who underwent a primary, 1 level MIS TLIF was reviewed. Preoperative SF-12 MCS was tested for association with preoperative ODI, back VAS, and leg VAS. Preoperative MCS was then tested for association with changes in ODI, back VAS, and leg VAS from preoperative to postoperative visits. These tests were conducted using multivariate regression controlling for baseline characteristics and the preoperative score of the PRO being assessed.

Results

A total of 113 patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, higher preoperative MCS was associated with lower preoperative ODI (coefficient: -0.58, P < .001), lower preoperative back VAS (-0.05, P = .003), and lower preoperative leg VAS (-0.06, P = .003). However, there was no association between preoperative MCS and improvement in PROs at any postoperative timepoint (P > .05). The percent of patients achieving a minimum clinically important difference in PROs at 6 months did not differ between the bottom and top MCS halves (P > .05).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that better preoperative mental health is associated with lower perceived preoperative disability and decreased severity of back and leg pain. In contrast to other studies, the present study was unable to demonstrate that preoperative mental health is predictive of improvement in PROs at any postoperative timepoint after MIS TLIF.

Level of Evidence

3.

Clinical Relevance

These results suggest that surgeons should exercise care in assuming that patients with poorer preoperative mental health are inferior surgical candidates.

The Influence of Preoperative Mental Health on PROMIS Physical Function Outcomes Following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate whether preoperative mental health status can be predictive of postoperative functional outcomes as measured by Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

There is a paucity of scientific investigations into the association between preoperative mental health as evaluated by a validated questionnaire such as the Short Form-12 Mental Health Composite Score (SF-12 MCS) and postoperative outcomes following MIS TLIF.

METHODS

Patients undergoing a primary MIS TLIF were retrospectively reviewed and stratified into cohorts based on preoperative SF-12 MCS scores. The Physical Function scores of PROMIS, of which there are other domains including Pain Interference, Sexual Function, and Cognitive Function, were compared between the cohorts. In addition, the improvement in PROMIS scores based on preoperative SF-12 MCS scores following MIS TLIF was analyzed using multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-two patients were included: 85 patients (49.4%) had a preoperative SF-12 MCS score <50 and 87 (50.6%) had a preoperative SF-12 MCS score ≥50. Patients with poorer mental health demonstrated significantly worse PROMIS PF scores preoperatively (33.8 vs. 36.5, P < 0.001), as well as at all postoperative timepoints: 6-weeks (35.1 vs. 38.4, P < 0.001), 3-months (38.9 vs. 42.9, P < 0.001), 6-months (41.4 vs. 45.5, P < 0.001), and 1-year (42.4 vs. 47.6, P < 0.001). However, at the 1-year timepoint, patients with worse mental health reported experiencing significantly less improvement from baseline (postoperative change of 8.6 vs. 11.1, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Patients with worse preoperative mental health not only demonstrated worse preoperative PROMIS PF scores, but also continued to have significantly worse postoperative outcomes. However, the postoperative improvement experienced by patients was similar in the short-term following surgery regardless of preoperative mental health status. Patients with poor mental health experienced significantly less postoperative improvement only at the 1-year timepoint.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Preoperative depression, lumbar fusion, and opioid use: an assessment of postoperative prescription, quality, and economic outcomes

OBJECTIVE Preoperative depression has been linked to a variety of adverse outcomes following lumbar fusion, including increased pain, disability, and 30-day readmission rates. The goal of the present study was to determine whether preoperative depression is associated with increased narcotic use following lumbar fusion. Moreover, the authors examined the association between preoperative depression and a variety of secondary quality indicator and economic outcomes, including complications, 30-day readmissions, revision surgeries, likelihood of discharge home, and 1- and 2-year costs. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using a national longitudinal administrative database (MarketScan) containing diagnostic and reimbursement data on patients with a variety of private insurance providers and Medicare for the period from 2007 to 2014. Multivariable logistic and negative binomial regressions were performed to assess the relationship between preoperative depression and the primary postoperative opioid use outcomes while controlling for demographic, comorbidity, and preoperative prescription drug-use variables. Logistic and log-linear regressions were also used to evaluate the association between depression and the secondary outcomes of complications, 30-day readmissions, revisions, likelihood of discharge home, and 1- and 2-year costs. RESULTS The authors identified 60,597 patients who had undergone lumbar fusion and met the study inclusion criteria, 4985 of whom also had a preoperative diagnosis of depression and 21,905 of whom had a diagnosis of spondylolisthesis at the time of surgery. A preoperative depression diagnosis was associated with increased cumulative opioid use (β = 0.25, p < 0.001), an increased risk of chronic use (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.40), and a decreased probability of opioid cessation (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.98) following lumbar fusion. In terms of secondary outcomes, preoperative depression was also associated with a slightly increased risk of complications (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.25), revision fusions (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26), and 30-day readmissions (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.36), although it was not significantly associated with the probability of discharge to home (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84-1.01). Preoperative depression also resulted in increased costs at 1 (β = 0.06, p < 0.001) and 2 (β = 0.09, p < 0.001) years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Although these findings must be interpreted in the context of the limitations inherent to retrospective studies utilizing administrative data, they provide additional evidence for the link between a preoperative diagnosis of depression and adverse outcomes, particularly increased opioid use, following lumbar fusion.

Effect of Depression on Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection for Degenerative Spine Disease

Objective

To assess the effect depression has on outcomes after cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs).

Design

Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.

Setting

Single institution tertiary care center.

Subjects

Fifty-seven patients with cervical spondylosis and cervical radicular pain who were deemed appropriate surgical candidates but elected to undergo CESI first were included.

Methods

Twenty-one of 57 (37%) patients with depression (defined as Zung Depression Scale >33) were included. Patient-reported outcomes including Neck Disability Index (NDI), numeric rating scale (NRS) for arm pain (AP), NRS for neck pain (NP), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were collected at baseline and three-month follow-up. Minimal clinically important differences were then calculated to provide dichotomous outcome measures of success.

Results

Overall, 24 and 28 patients achieved at least 50% improvement in AP and NP, respectively. In terms of disability, 25/57 (43.9%) patients achieved >13.2-point improvement on the NDI overall. In patients with depression, 4/21 (19.0%) and 5/21 (23.8%) achieved at least 50% improvement on the NRS for AP and NP, respectively, compared with 20/36 (55.5%) and 23/36 (63.8%) in patients without depression. This difference was statistically significant for both pain measures (P < 0.002 AP, P < 0.006 NP). Statistically fewer patients, 5/21 (24%), with depression achieved ≥13.2-point improvement on the NDI compared with 20/36 (55%) nondepressed patients (P < 0.01). There was no difference in outcomes between groups on the EQ-5D.

Conclusions

Patients with cervical spondylosis and comorbid depression who undergo CESI are less likely to achieve successful outcomes in both pain and function compared with nondepressed patients at three months.

Poor Baseline Mental Health Does Not Influence Improvement in Patient-reported Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Return to Work Two Years After Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study using prospectively collected registry data.

OBJECTIVE

The authors examine the influence of preoperative mental health on outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and determine the impact of ACDF on postoperative mental health.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

While studies have reported a negative correlation between preoperative mental health and outcomes following lumbar spine surgery, the influence on outcomes following cervical spine surgery remains relatively understudied.

METHODS

Prospectively collected registry data of 104 patients who underwent single-level ACDF for cervical spondylotic myelopathy were reviewed. Patients were dichotomized into top and bottom halves based on preoperative SF-36 MCS (Mental Component Summary) using a cutoff of 48. Outcomes assessed were visual analogue scale for neck pain, arm pain, AAOS Neck Pain and Disability, Neurogenic Symptoms, Neck Disability Index, Short-Form 36, Japanese Orthopaedic Association myelopathy score, return to work, return to function, satisfaction and expectation fulfilment up to 2 years postoperatively.

RESULTS

The preoperative MCS was 37.5 ± 8.1 and 57.4 ± 6.3 in the Low and High MCS groups respectively (P < 0.001). The Low MCS group had poorer preoperative scores (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in length of stay or comorbidities (P > 0.05). The High MCS group had less neck pain (P = 0.002) and showed a trend towards lower Neck Disability Index (P = 0.062) at 2 years. The Low MCS group demonstrated greater improvement in Japanese Orthopaedic Association (P = 0.007) and similar improvement in other scores (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in proportion that achieved minimal clinically important difference for each score (P > 0.05). Both groups had similar rates of return to work, return to function, expectation fulfilment, and satisfaction (P > 0.05). Lower preoperative MCS was predictive of greater improvement in MCS (r = -0.477, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Despite relatively greater pain and disability at 2 years, patients with poor baseline mental health experienced similar improvement in clinical outcomes, return to work, and satisfaction rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Predictive factors for return to work after lumbar discectomy

Background. Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the most common complaints leading to disability and work absence. This study was performed to determine the rate and contributing factors of return to work in the postoperative phase after lumbar discectomy. Methods. This cohort study was performed among 142 patients attending the orthopedics spine clinic of a teaching hospital during 2016. Initially, the demographic and occupational characteristics and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were fulfilled, and patients were followed with regard to time off, work return and type of job after surgery. Results. 113 participants (79.5%) returned to work in 3 months. Male gender, higher literacy, non-manual job, less physical activity, non-smoking, formal work agreement, lower working hours and higher income were associated with return to previous work. Also, shorter preoperative duration of LBP, longer hospital stay, lower severity of LBP, lower ODI score and poor perceived prognosis of return to work were associated with return to previous work. Conclusions. Return to work after discectomy is seen in more than two-thirds of patients and is related to factors such as pain intensity and body mass index. However, return to previous versus modified job is a multifactorial issue.

A web-based platform to accommodate symptoms of anxiety and depression by featuring social interaction and animated information in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Approximately one-third of patients undergoing spine surgery have symptoms of anxiety and depression that correlate with pain, disability, and lower health-related quality of life. The use of web-based informative strategies before surgery and principles from cognitive behavioral therapy, have been applied in other patient groups, facilitating mobility and encouraging beneficial coping behavior.

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of a web-based Spine Platform featuring Interaction and Information by Animation (w-SPIINA) on symptoms of anxiety and depression, pain, disability, and health-related quality of life.

STUDY DESIGN

A single-center, two-arm, randomized controlled trial PATIENT SAMPLE: One hundred fourteen consecutive patients scheduled for instrumented lumbar spine fusion due to degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was the change in self-reported Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were change in HADS 1-day before surgery 2days and 6 months after and changes in self-reported disability measured on the Oswestry disability index (ODI), quality of life (EQ-5D-5L questionnaire), and the low back pain rating scale (LBPRS) 2days and 3 and 6 months after surgery.

METHOD

Patients were randomized to either a control group receiving a standard information regimen or an intervention group gaining access to w-SPIINA in addition to the standard regimen. The independent charity Helsefonden contributed $45,000, the Health Research Fund of the Regional Hospital Central Jutland contributed $10,000, and the Toyota foundation contributed $10,000 to remunerate a dedicated investigator. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference within the w-SPIINA group and the control group regarding changes in HADS at 3-month follow-up (p≥.37). Approximately 40% reached minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in the w-SPIINA group on the HADS at 3 months. In the control group 50% reached MCID on anxiety subscale and 35% on the depression subscale at 3 months. No statistically significant differences were found between groups with regard to the overall outcomes at any of the predefined time points.

CONCLUSION

Providing patients with access to w-SPIINA in addition to a standard information regimen had no additional effect on HADS and patient-reported outcomes1day before, 2days, 3 or 6 months after surgery. However, a high compliance and degree of interaction with w-SPIINA indicates that this mode of web-based support could be applicable in this group of patients.

Predictive model for long-term patient satisfaction after surgery for grade I degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: insights from the Quality Outcomes Database

OBJECTIVE

Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, providers and hospitals have increasingly prioritized patient-centered outcomes such as patient satisfaction in an effort to adapt the “value”-based healthcare model. In the current study, the authors queried a prospectively maintained multiinstitutional spine registry to construct a predictive model for long-term patient satisfaction among patients undergoing surgery for Meyerding grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODS

The authors queried the Quality Outcomes Database for patients undergoing surgery for grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2016. The primary outcome of interest for the current study was patient satisfaction as measured by the North American Spine Surgery patient satisfaction index, which is measured on a scale of 1–4, with 1 indicating most satisfied and 4 indicating least satisfied. In order to identify predictors of higher satisfaction, the authors fitted a multivariable proportional odds logistic regression model for ≥ 2 years of patient satisfaction after adjusting for an array of clinical and patient-specific factors. The absolute importance of each covariate in the model was computed using an importance metric defined as Wald chi-square penalized by the predictor degrees of freedom.

RESULTS

A total of 502 patients, out of a cohort of 608 patients (82.5%) with grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis, undergoing either 1- or 2-level decompression (22.5%, n = 113) or 1-level decompression and fusion (77.5%, n = 389), met the inclusion criteria; of these, 82.1% (n = 412) were satisfied after 2 years. On univariate analysis, satisfied patients were more likely to be employed and working (41.7%, n = 172, vs 24.4%, n = 22; overall p = 0.001), more likely to present with predominant leg pain (23.1%, n = 95, vs 11.1%, n = 10; overall p = 0.02) but more likely to present with lower Numeric Rating Scale score for leg pain (median and IQR score: 7 [5–9] vs 8 [6–9]; p = 0.05). Multivariable proportional odds logistic regression revealed that older age (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.09–2.76; p = 0.009), preoperative active employment (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.27–3.67; p = 0.015), and fusion surgery (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.30–4.06; p = 0.002) were the most important predictors of achieving satisfaction with surgical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Current findings from a large multiinstitutional study indicate that most patients undergoing surgery for grade I lumbar spondylolisthesis achieved long-term satisfaction. Moreover, the authors found that older age, preoperative active employment, and fusion surgery are associated with higher odds of achieving satisfaction.

Time Taken to Return to Work Does Not Influence Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected registry data.

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors which influence return-to-work (RTW) in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and to determine if early RTW affects functional outcomes.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

MIS-TLIF has been associated with accelerated return to work. RTW in non-WC working-age adults after MIS-TLIF is not well understood.

METHODS

Prospectively collected registry data of 907 patients who underwent MIS-TLIF at a single institution from 2004 to 2013 were reviewed. One hundred ten working adults who underwent single-level MIS-TLIF with complete preoperative and 5-year postoperative follow-up data were included. Patients were assigned into Early RTW (≤60 d, n = 40) and Late RTW (>60 d, n = 70). All patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively at 2 and 5 years. Length of operation, length of stay, and comorbidities were also recorded.

RESULTS

The Early RTW group had significantly lower Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), North American Spine Society score for neurogenic symptoms (NASS NS), numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) back and leg pain scores than the Late RTW group (<0.01) There were no significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of medical comorbidities (P > 0.05). In addition, there were no differences in terms of duration of surgery or length of hospitalization. There were no significant differences in ODI, NASS NS, Short-form 36 physical and mental component scores (SF-36 PCS/MCS), NPRS, satisfaction/expectation fulfilment between the Early and Late RTW groups at 2-year and 5-year follow-up. Both groups reported similar proportions that RTW without limitations and return-to-function (RTF) at 2-years and 5-years.

CONCLUSION

Patients who RTW late have significantly poorer preoperative SF-36 physical component scores and higher ODI, NASS NS, NPRS back/leg pain scores. Surgeons should be cognizant that working adults with poorer preoperative function will tend to return to work later, but should reassure them that they will likely achieve similar clinical outcomes, satisfaction and expectation fulfilment when compared with patients who returned to work early.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Evaluating psychosocial contributions to chronic pain outcomes

The biopsychosocial model of pain dominates the scientific community's understanding of chronic pain. Indeed, the biopsychosocial approach describes pain and disability as a multidimensional, dynamic integration among physiological, psychological, and social factors that reciprocally influence one another. In this article, we review two categories of studies that evaluate the contributions of psychosocial factors to the experience of chronic pain. First, we consider general psychosocial variables including distress, trauma, and interpersonal factors. Additionally, we discuss pain-specific psychosocial variables including catastrophizing, expectations, and pain-related coping. Together, we present a diverse array of psychological, social, and contextual factors and highlight the need to consider their roles in the development, maintenance, and treatment of chronic pain conditions.

Preoperative Mental Health is not Predictive of Patient-reported Outcomes Following a Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if preoperative mental health is associated with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following a minimally invasive lumbar discectomy.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

PROs are commonly used to quantify a patient's perceived health status. Recently, mental health has been theorized to directly affect patients' perception of their disability and pain after spine surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A registry of patients who underwent a primary, single-level minimally invasive lumbar discectomy was reviewed. The association between preoperative Short-Form Health Survey mental composite score (MCS) and change in PROs [Oswestry Disability Index, back and leg visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores] from preoperative to postoperative (6-week, 12-week, 6-month) timepoints was assessed using multivariate regression controlling for patient demographics and the respective preoperative PRO. Patients in the top and bottom quartiles of preoperative MCS were compared regarding achievement of minimum clinically important difference for each PRO.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were included in the analysis. Better preoperative mental health was associated with lower preoperative disability and decreased preoperative back VAS (P<0.05 for each). Higher preoperative MCS was also associated with greater improvements in back VAS at 6-weeks postoperatively (P<0.05). There was no association between preoperative MCS and change in any PROs at the 12-week or 6-month postoperative visits. Patients in the bottom quartile of preoperative MCS achieved minimum clinically important difference in all PROs at similar rates to patients in the top quartile of preoperative MCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with better preoperative mental health scores are more likely to report decreased disability and pain preoperatively. However, preoperative mental health was not predictive of changes in long-term disability or pain. As a result, patients with a wide range of preoperative mental health scores can achieve satisfactory long-term reductions in disability and pain levels after a lumbar discectomy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Depression and Anxiety in Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury Patients Are Associated With Reduced Motor Outcome After Surgical Intervention for Restoration of Elbow Flexion

BACKGROUND

Depression has been associated with poor outcomes in neurosurgical patients, including increased pain, poorer functional recovery, delayed return to work, and decreased patient satisfaction. No reports exist regarding an association of psychiatric diagnoses with outcomes after brachial plexus reconstruction. As outcomes and patient satisfaction become increasingly important to payers and physician reimbursement, assessing modifiable preoperative risk factors for their association with poor outcome and patient satisfaction is imperative.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze patients undergoing brachial plexus reconstruction to assess the relationship of depression/anxiety with functional outcome.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively on all patients who underwent brachial plexus reconstruction to restore elbow flexion between 2005 and 2013. Elbow flexion, graded via the Medical Research Council scale, was assessed at latest follow-up. Multiple variables, including the presence of Axis I psychiatric diagnoses, were assessed for their association with the dichotomous outcome of Medical Research Council scale score ≥3 (antigravity) vs <3 elbow flexion. Standard statistical methods were used.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. The median postsurgical follow-up time was 21 months. Operations included neurolysis (n = 3), nerve graft repair (n = 6), and nerve transfer (n = 28). Depression was present in 10 of 37 patients (27%). Of variables tested, only depression was associated with poor elbow flexion outcome (odds ratio: 6.038; P = .04).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative depression is common after brachial plexus injury. The presence of depression is associated with reduced elbow flexion recovery after reconstruction. Our data suggest assessment and treatment of preoperative mental health is important in designing a comprehensive postoperative management plan to optimize outcomes and patient satisfaction.

ABBREVIATIONS

MRC, Medical Research CouncilTBI, traumatic brain injury.

An analysis from the Quality Outcomes Database, Part 2. Predictive model for return to work after elective surgery for lumbar degenerative disease

OBJECTIVE

Current costs associated with spine care are unsustainable. Productivity loss and time away from work for patients who were once gainfully employed contributes greatly to the financial burden experienced by individuals and, more broadly, society. Therefore, it is vital to identify the factors associated with return to work (RTW) after lumbar spine surgery. In this analysis, the authors used data from a national prospective outcomes registry to create a predictive model of patients’ ability to RTW after undergoing lumbar spine surgery for degenerative spine disease.

METHODS

Data from 4694 patients who underwent elective spine surgery for degenerative lumbar disease, who had been employed preoperatively, and who had completed a 3-month follow-up evaluation, were entered into a prospective, multicenter registry. Patient-reported outcomes—Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), numeric rating scale (NRS) for back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP), and EQ-5D scores—were recorded at baseline and at 3 months postoperatively. The time to RTW was defined as the period between operation and date of returning to work. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, including an array of preoperative factors, was fitted for RTW. The model performance was measured using the concordance index (c-index).

RESULTS

Eighty-two percent of patients (n = 3855) returned to work within 3 months postoperatively. The risk-adjusted predictors of a lower likelihood of RTW were being preoperatively employed but not working at the time of presentation, manual labor as an occupation, worker’s compensation, liability insurance for disability, higher preoperative ODI score, higher preoperative NRS-BP score, and demographic factors such as female sex, African American race, history of diabetes, and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score. The likelihood of a RTW within 3 months was higher in patients with higher education level than in those with less than high school–level education. The c-index of the model’s performance was 0.71.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a novel predictive model for the probability of returning to work after lumbar spine surgery. Spine care providers can use this model to educate patients and encourage them in shared decision-making regarding the RTW outcome. This evidence-based decision support will result in better communication between patients and clinicians and improve postoperative recovery expectations, which will ultimately increase the likelihood of a positive RTW trajectory.

Relationship between depression and clinical outcome following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

BACKGROUND

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a commonly performed procedure for patients with symptomatic degenerative conditions of the cervical spine. The objective is to assess the impact of preoperative depression and other baseline characteristics on patient reported clinical outcomes following ACDF surgery based on the experience at our institution.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of some patients undergoing ACDF at a single institution from 2012 to 2014. Ninety-three patients that underwent an ACDF procedure were included. The primary outcome measure was post-operative Nurick score.

RESULTS

Sixteen (17.2%) patients had a formal diagnosis of depression compared to 77 (82.8%) patients without depression. On univariate analysis, patients with depression had statistically significantly higher Nurick scores compared to patients without depression after surgery (coefficient =0.55, 95% CI: 0.21-0.90, P=0.002). On multivariate analysis, there was a trend toward higher postoperative Nurick scores in patients that had depression (coefficient =0.31, 95% CI: -0.01-0.63, P=0.057).

CONCLUSIONS

This small retrospective study reveals an inverse relationship between preoperative depression and functional outcome. Further research should be performed to investigate this relationship and to investigate if treating depression can improve postoperative outcomes.

Patient-reported outcomes after lumbar epidural steroid injection for degenerative spine disease in depressed versus non-depressed patients

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Medical interventional modalities such as lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESIs) are often used in the setting of lumbar spine disorders where other conservative measures have failed. Concomitant depression can lead to worse outcomes in lumbar spine pathology. A number of studies have demonstrated an association between preoperative depression and poor outcomes following surgery, but the effect of depression on outcomes following medical interventional modalities is poorly understood.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the differences in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between depressed and non-depressed patients undergoing LESI.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

This study is an analysis of a prospective longitudinal registry database at a single academic institution.

PATIENT SAMPLE

All patients undergoing LESI from 2012 to 2014 were eligible for enrollment into a prospective, web-based registry. Eligible patients had radicular pain, correlative imaging findings of degenerative pathology, and failed 6 weeks of conservative care.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The PROs measured included the (1) numeric rating scale for back pain (NRS-BP), (2) numeric rating scale for leg pain (NRS-LP), (3) disease-specific physical disability-Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and (4) preference-based health status-EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent LESI. Patient-reported outcomes were collected at baseline and at 12 months following treatment. Based on previously validated values for the Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) as a screening tool for depression, patients were dichotomized into non-depressed (ZDS score ≤33) and depressed (ZDS score >33). The PRO change scores from baseline to 12 months were calculated. The mean absolute and change scores between the groups were compared using Student t test. Multivariable linear regression analysis for ODI, EQ-5D, NRS-LP, and NRS-BP was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 161 patients with complete 12-month follow-up were included. Seventy-one patients (44%) were classified as depressed and 90 patients (56%) were classified as non-depressed. The mean baseline PRO scores were significantly worse in depressed patients compared with non-depressed patients: ODI (p<.001), NRS-BP (p=.013), NRS-LP (p<.001), and EQ-5D (p=.001). The mean absolute scores at 12 months were significantly lower in the depressed versus non-depressed patients: ODI (p<.001), NRS-BP (p=.001), NRS-LP (p=.05), and EQ-5D (p=.003). However, there was no difference in mean change scores observed at 12 months between the depressed and non-depressed cohorts: ODI (p=.42), NRS-BP (p=.31), NRS-LP (p=.25), EQ-5D (p=.14). Adjusting for pre-procedure variables, the higher ZDS score was associated with higher disability (ODI) at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression led to worse absolute scores for PROs and is associated with higher disability following LESI. However, patients with depressive symptoms can expect similar improvement in PROs at 12 months.

Preoperative mental health status may not be predictive of improvements in patient-reported outcomes following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

OBJECTIVE

Prior studies have correlated preoperative depression and poor mental health status with inferior patient-reported outcomes following lumbar spinal procedures. However, literature regarding the effect of mental health on outcomes following cervical spinal surgery is limited. As such, the purpose of this study is to test for the association of preoperative SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores with improvements in Neck Disability Index (NDI), SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS), and neck and arm pain following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

METHODS

A prospectively maintained surgical database of patients who underwent a primary 1- or 2-level ACDF during 2014–2015 was reviewed. Patients were excluded if they did not have complete patient-reported outcome data for the preoperative or 6-week, 12-week, or 6-month postoperative visits. At baseline, preoperative SF-12 MCS score was assessed for association with preoperative NDI, neck visual analog scale (VAS) score, arm VAS score, and SF-12 PCS score. The preoperative MCS score was then tested for association with changes in NDI, neck VAS, arm VAS, and SF-12 PCS scores from the preoperative visit to postoperative visits. These tests were conducted using multivariate regression controlling for baseline characteristics as well as for the preoperative score for the patient-reported outcome being assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, a higher preoperative MCS score was negatively associated with a lower preoperative NDI (coefficient: −0.74, p < 0.001) and preoperative arm VAS score (−0.06, p = 0.026), but not preoperative neck VAS score (−0.03, p = 0.325) or SF-12 PCS score (0.04, p = 0.664). Additionally, there was no association between preoperative MCS score and improvement in NDI, neck VAS, arm VAS, or SF-12 PCS score at any of the postoperative time points (6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months, p > 0.05 for each). The percentage of patients achieving a minimum clinically important difference at 6 months did not differ between the bottom and top MCS score halves (p > 0.05 for each).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that better preoperative mental health status is associated with lower perceived preoperative disability but is not associated with severity of preoperative neck or arm pain. In contrast to other studies, the present study was unable to demonstrate that preoperative mental health is predictive of improvement in patient-reported outcomes at any postoperative time point following an ACDF.

Surgical Resection of Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Tumors: Patient Reported Outcomes and Minimum Clinically Important Difference

STUDY DESIGN

Analysis of prospectively collected longitudinal web-based registry data.

OBJECTIVE

To determine relative validity, responsiveness, and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds in patients undergoing surgery for intradural extramedullary (IDEM) spinal tumors.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are vital in establishing the value of care in spinal pathology. There is limited availability of prospective, quality studies reporting PROs for IDEM spine tumors.

METHODS

. A total of 40 patients were analyzed. Baseline, postoperative 3-month, and 12-month PROs were recorded: Oswestry Disability Index or Neck disability Index (ODI/NDI), Quality of life EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), Short Form-12 (SF-12), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-pain scores. Responders were defined as those who achieved a level of improvement one or two, after surgery, on health transition index (HTI) of SF-36. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were generated to assess the validity of PROs, and the difference between standardized response means (SRMs) in responders versus nonresponders was utilized to determine the relative responsiveness of each PRO measure. MCID thresholds were derived using previously reported minimal detectable change approach.

RESULTS

A significant improvement across all PROs at 3-months and 12-months follow up was noted. The derived MCID thresholds were 13.9 points: ODI/NDI, 0.14 quality adjusted life years: EQ-5D, 2.8 points: SF-12PCS and 10.7 points: SF-12MCS, 1.9 points: NRS-back/neck pain, and 1.8 points: NRS-leg/arm pain. SF-12PCS was most accurate discriminator of meaningful improvement (area under the curve, AUC-0.83) and most responsive (SRM-1.36) to postoperative improvement. EQ-5D, ODI/NDI, NRS-pain scores were all accurate discriminator (AUC-0.7-0.8) and responsive measures (0.97-0.67) of meaningful postoperative improvement. SF-12MCS was neither a valid discriminator (AUC-0.48) nor a responsive measure (SRM: -1.5) of outcome.

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection of IDEM spinal tumors provides significant and sustained improvement in quality of life, general health, disability, and pain at 12-month after surgery. The surgically resected IDEM-specific clinically meaningful thresholds are reported. All the PROs reported in this study can accurately discriminate responders and nonresponder based on SF-36 HTI index except for SF-12 MCS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Can the anxiety domain of EQ-5D and mental health items from SF-36 help predict outcomes after surgery for lumbar degenerative disorders?

OBJECTIVE

Studies have shown that anxious or depressed patients may have poorer outcomes after lumbar fusion. These conclusions were drawn from questionnaires specifically designed to measure anxiety and depression. The objective of this study is to determine if responses to the EQ-5D anxiety/depression domain or the items used to calculate the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) Mental Component Summary (MCS) can predict outcomes after lumbar fusion surgery.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database from a single center with 1-year follow-up were identified. The outcomes collected include the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EQ-5D, SF-36, and the back- and leg-pain numeric rating scales (range 0–10). Linear regression modeling was performed to predict the 1-year ODI scores using the EQ-5D anxiety/depression domain and the 14 items used to calculate SF-36 MCS.

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 312 (88%) of 353 eligible patients. The mean patient age was 58.5 years, 175 (56%) patients were women, and 52 patients were smokers. After controlling for other factors, the item in the SF-36 that asks “Have you felt downhearted and depressed?” is the strongest predictor of the 1-year ODI score (r2 = 0.191; p = 0.000) and 1-year EQ-5D score (r2 = 0.205; p = 0.000). Neither the EQ-5D anxiety/depression domain nor the diagnoses of anxiety or depression were predictors of 1-year outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient responses to SF-36 item “Have you felt downhearted and depressed?” account for 20% of the variability of the 1-year ODI and EQ-5D scores and can be used by clinicians to screen for anxiety or depression in patients prior to lumbar fusion surgery. Clinicians may offer psychological support to these patients preoperatively in order to improve treatment outcomes.

The Role of Psychosocial Processes in the Development and Maintenance of Chronic Pain

The recently proposed Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION)-American Pain Society (APS) Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) provides an evidence-based, multidimensional, chronic pain classification system. Psychosocial factors play a crucial role within several dimensions of the taxonomy. In this article, we discuss the evaluation of psychosocial factors that influence the diagnosis and trajectory of chronic pain disorders. We review studies in individuals with a variety of persistent pain conditions, and describe evidence that psychosocial variables play key roles in conferring risk for the development of pain, in shaping long-term pain-related adjustment, and in modulating pain treatment outcomes. We consider "general" psychosocial variables such as negative affect, childhood trauma, and social support, as well as "pain-specific" psychosocial variables that include pain-related catastrophizing, self-efficacy for managing pain, and pain-related coping. Collectively, the complexity and profound variability in chronic pain highlights the need to better understand the multidimensional array of interacting forces that determine the trajectory of chronic pain conditions.

PERSPECTIVE

The AAPT is an evidence-based chronic pain classification system in which psychosocial concepts and processes are essential in understanding the development of chronic pain and its effects. In this article we review psychosocial processes that influence the onset, exacerbation, and maintenance of chronic pain disorders.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database for Open Versus Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare data on various pain and functional outcomes for patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MiTLIF) and those who had open TLIF to better delineate which patients may benefit from each procedure.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

TLIF is a highly successful technique for the treatment of patients with degenerative instability or deformity. Minimally invasive approaches have been developed in an effort to improve outcomes by reducing tissue trauma and minimizing surgical time and blood loss. Although these approaches have been compared in the literature, there continues to be a debate about which patients may benefit from each procedure, and there is a dearth of information regarding short-term outcomes such as disposition status.

METHODS

We used the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD) to assess outcomes of patients who underwent open or MiTLIF at a single institution from 2012 to 2014. Primary outcomes included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, blood loss, discharge status, and return to work.

RESULTS

We identified 98 patients with 3- and 12-month follow-up records. The open and MiTLIF groups had similar improvements in ODI and VAS at 3 and 12 months. MiTLIF patients had a significantly longer hospital stay (5.0 vs. 3.8 days for open TLIF, P < 0.001) and were more likely to discharge to a location other than home (P < 0.021). Open TLIF patients had shorter mean operative time (235 vs. 329 minutes for MiTLIF, P < 0.001) and more blood loss (307 vs. 120.2 mL for MiTLIF, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although each approach demonstrated advantages and disadvantages, outcome measures at short-term follow-up were largely equivalent, suggesting that the selection of procedure should be based on which approach will offer the superior individual outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

The National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database Qualified Clinical Data Registry: 2015 measure specifications and rationale

Meaningful quality measurement and public reporting have the potential to facilitate targeted outcome improvement, practice-based learning, shared decision making, and effective resource utilization. Recent developments in national quality reporting programs, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) reporting option, have enhanced the ability of specialty groups to develop relevant quality measures of the care they deliver. QCDRs will complete the collection and submission of Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) quality measures data on behalf of individual eligible professionals. The National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD) offers 21 non-PQRS measures, initially focused on spine procedures, which are the first specialty-specific measures for neurosurgery. Securing QCDR status for N2QOD is a tremendously important accomplishment for our specialty. This program will ensure that data collected through our registries and used for PQRS is meaningful for neurosurgeons, related spine care practitioners, their patients, and other stakeholders. The 2015 N2QOD QCDR is further evidence of neurosurgery’s commitment to substantively advancing the health care quality paradigm. The following manuscript outlines the measures now approved for use in the 2015 N2QOD QCDR. Measure specifications (measure type and descriptions, related measures, if any, as well as relevant National Quality Strategy domain[s]) along with rationale are provided for each measure.