Concurrent Validity and Comparative Responsiveness of PROMIS-SF Versus Legacy Measures in the Cervical and Lumbar Spine Population: Longitudinal Analysis from Baseline to Postsurgery

Correlation of mJOA, PROMIS physical function, and patient satisfaction in patients with cervical myelopathy: an analysis of the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) database

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are increasingly utilized to evaluate the efficacy and value of spinal procedures. Among patients with cervical myelopathy, the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) remains the standard instrument, with Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) and patient satisfaction also frequently assessed. These outcomes have not all been directly compared using a large spine registry at 2 years follow-up for cervical myelopathic patients undergoing surgery.

PURPOSE

To determine the correlation and association of PROMIS PF, mJOA, and patient satisfaction outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Retrospective review of a multicenter spine registry database.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Adult patients with cervical myelopathy who underwent cervical spine surgery between 2/26/2018 and 4/17/2021.

OUTCOME MEASURES

PROMIS PF, mJOA, and North American Spine Society (NASS) patient satisfaction index.

METHODS

The MSSIC database was accessed to gather pre- and postoperative outcome data on patients with cervical myelopathy. Spearman's correlation coefficients relating mJOA and PROMIS PF were quantified up to 2 years postoperatively. The correlations between patient satisfaction with mJOA and PROMIS were determined. Kappa statistics were used to evaluate for agreement between those reaching the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for mJOA and PROMIS PF. Odds ratios were calculated to determine the association between patient satisfaction and those reaching MCID for mJOA and PROMIS PF. Support for MSSIC is provided by BCBSM and Blue Care Network as part of the BCBSM Value Partnerships program.

RESULTS

Data from 2,023 patients were included. Moderate to strong correlations were found between mJOA and PROMIS PF at all time points (p<.001). These outcomes had fair agreement at all postoperative time points when comparing those who reached MCID. Satisfaction was strongly related to changes from baseline for both mJOA and PROMIS PF at all time points (p<.001). Odds ratios associating satisfaction with PROMIS PF MCID were higher at all time points compared with mJOA, although the differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

PROMIS PF has a strong positive correlation with mJOA up to 2 years postoperatively in patients undergoing surgery for cervical myelopathy, with similar odds of achieving MCID with both instruments. Patient satisfaction is predicted similarly by these outcome measures by 2 years postoperatively. These results affirm the validity of PROMIS PF in the cervical myelopathic population. Given its generalizability and ease of use, PROMIS PF may be a more practical outcome measure for clinical use compared with mJOA.

Responsiveness and Minimal Important Change of the PROMIS Pain Interference Item Bank in Patients Presented in Musculoskeletal Practice

We evaluated the responsiveness of the Patient Reported Outcome Information System Pain Interference item bank in patients with musculoskeletal pain by testing predefined hypotheses about the relationship between the change scores on the item bank, change scores on legacy instruments and Global Ratings of Change (GRoC), and we estimated Minimal Important Change (MIC). Patients answered the full Dutch-Flemish V1.1 item bank. From the responses we derived scores for the standard 8-item short form (SF8a) and a CAT-score was simulated. Correlations between the change scores on the item bank, GRoC and legacy instruments were calculated, together with Effect Sizes, Standardized Response Means, and Area Under the Curve. GRoC were used as an anchor for estimating the MIC with (adjusted) predictive modeling. Of 1,677 patients answering baseline questionnaires 960 completed follow-up questionnaires at 3 months. The item bank correlated moderately high with the GRoC (Spearman's rho 0.63) and with the legacy instruments (Pearson's R ranging from .45 to .68). It showed a high ES (.97) and Standardized Response Means (.71), and could distinguish well between improved and not improved patients based on the GRoC (Area Under the Curve .77). Comparable results were found for the derived SF8a and CAT-scores. The MIC was estimated to be 3.2 (CI 2.6-3.7) T-score points. PERSPECTIVE: Our study supports the responsiveness of the PROMIS-PI item bank in patients with musculoskeletal complaints. Almost all predefined hypotheses were met (94%). The PROMIS-PI item bank correlated well with several legacy instruments which supports generic use of the item bank. MIC for PROMIS-PI was estimated to be 3.2 T-score points.

Stratification of Spine Patients based on Self-Reported Clinical Symptom Classes: Evaluation of Long-Term Outcomes and Subsequent Interventions

Background

Prior work by our group developed a stratification tool based on four PROMIS domains for patients with low back pain (LBP). Our study aimed to evaluate the ability of our previously developed symptom classes to predict long-term outcomes, and determine whether there were differential treatment effects by intervention.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with LBP seen in spine clinics in a large health system between November 14, 2018 and May 14, 2019 who completed patient-reported outcomes as part of routine care at baseline and again at 12-months follow-up. Latent class analysis identified symptom classes based on PROMIS domain scores (physical function, pain interference, social role satisfaction, and fatigue) that were ≥1 standard deviation worse (meaningfully worse) than the general population. The ability of the profiles to predict long-term outcomes at 12-months was evaluated through multivariable models. Differences in outcomes by subsequent treatments (physical therapy, specialist visits, injections, and surgery) were investigated.

Results

There were 3,236 adult patients (average age 61.1 ± 14.2, 55.4% female) included in the study with three distinct classes identified: mild symptoms (n = 986, 30.5%), mixed (n = 798, 24.7%) with poor scores on physical function and pain interference but better scores on other domains, and significant symptoms (n = 1,452, 44.9%). The classes were significantly associated with long-term outcomes, with patients with significant symptoms improving the most across all domains. Utilization differed across classes, with the mixed symptom class receiving more PT and injections and significant symptom class receiving more surgeries and specialist visits.

Conclusions

Patients with LBP have distinct clinical symptom classes which could be utilized to stratify patients into groups based on risk of future disability. These symptom classes can also be used to provide estimates of the effectiveness of different interventions, further increasing the clinical utility of these classes in standard care.

The Lumbar Stenosis Prognostic Subgroups for Personalizing Care and Treatment (PROSPECTS) study: protocol for an inception cohort study

Background

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative condition that contributes to back and back-related leg pain in older adults. Most patients with symptomatic LSS initially receive non-operative care before surgical consultation. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding prognosis for patients seeking non-surgical care. The overall goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a clinically useful model to predict long-term physical function of patients initiating non-surgical care for symptomatic LSS.

Methods

This is a protocol for an inception cohort study of adults 50 years and older who are initiating non-surgical care for symptomatic LSS in a secondary care setting. We plan to recruit up to 625 patients at two study sites. We exclude patients with prior lumbar spine surgeries or those who are planning on lumbar spine surgery. We also exclude patients with serious medical conditions that have back pain as a symptom or limit walking. We are using weekly, automated data pulls from the electronic health records to identify potential participants. We then contact patients by email and telephone within 21 days of a new visit to determine eligibility, obtain consent, and enroll participants. We collect data using telephone interviews, web-based surveys, and queries of electronic health records. Participants are followed for 12 months, with surveys completed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the 8-item PROMIS Physical Function (PF) Short Form. We will identify distinct phenotypes using PROMIS PF scores at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months using group-based trajectory modeling. We will develop and evaluate the performance of a multivariable prognostic model to predict 12-month physical function using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and will compare performance to other machine learning methods. Internal validation will be conducted using k-folds cross-validation.

Discussion

This study will be one of the largest cohorts of individuals with symptomatic LSS initiating new episodes of non-surgical care. The successful completion of this project will produce a cross-validated prognostic model for LSS that can be used to tailor treatment approaches for patient care and clinical trials.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05598-x.

Stratification of spine patients based on self-reported clinical symptom classes

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Improving prognostic stratification for patients with low back pain (LBP) outside of a primary care setting has been identified as an important area for further research.

PURPOSE

Our study aimed to identify clinical symptom classes of patients presenting to a spine clinic based on 4 Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domains and evaluate demographic and clinical differences across classes.

STUDY DESIGN

An observational cross-sectional study of patients seen in spine centers at a large health system.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Adult patients with LBP seen in a spine center between November 14, 2018 and May 14, 2019 who completed patient-reported outcomes as part of routine care.

OUTCOME MEASURES

PROMIS physical function, pain interference, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and fatigue.

METHODS

Latent class analysis identified symptom classes based on PROMIS domain scores ≥1 standard deviation worse (meaningfully worse) than the general population. A multivariable multinomial logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate differences in symptom classes based on demographics and socioeconomic characteristics. Lastly, the ability of the profiles to discriminate across levels of disability, based on the modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI), was evaluated.

RESULTS

There were 7,144 adult patients included in the study who visited spine clinics for a primary complaint of LBP and completed all 4 PROMIS domains (age 58.7±15.9, 54% female). Three distinct classes were identified. Class 1 ("Significant Symptoms," n=3238) had PROMIS scores that were meaningfully worse than the population average for all domains. Class 2 ("Mixed Symptoms," n=1366) had meaningfully worse scores on physical function and pain interference but average scores on other domains. Class 3 ("Mild Symptoms," n=2540) had average scores across all domains. Compared to patients in Class 3, those in Class 2 were more likely older, and those in Classes 1 and 2 were more likely to be divorced, have lower household income, and no employment. Level of disability was significantly different across each class (average (SD) ODI for Classes 1-3: 53.4 (14.3), 39.9 (12.5), 22.9 (12.1), p<.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting to specialty clinics for LBP demonstrate distinct clinical symptom classes which could be utilized to inform specific symptom-based treatment. Future research should evaluate the ability of these classes to predict long-term disability.

Oxidative stress is associated with characteristic features of the dysfunctional chronic pain phenotype

ABSTRACT

The dysfunctional chronic pain (Dysfunctional CP) phenotype is an empirically identifiable CP subtype with unclear pathophysiological mechanisms that cuts across specific medical CP diagnoses. This study tested whether the multidimensional pain and psychosocial features that characterize the dysfunctional CP phenotype are associated broadly with elevated oxidative stress (OS). Measures of pain intensity, bodily extent of pain, catastrophizing cognitions, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, pain interference, and function were completed by 84 patients with chronic osteoarthritis before undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Blood samples were obtained at the initiation of surgery before incision or tourniquet placement. Plasma levels of F2-isoprostanes and isofurans, the most highly specific measures of in vivo OS, were quantified using gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The results indicated that controlling for differences in age, sex, and body mass index, higher overall OS (mean of isoprostanes and isofurans) was associated with significantly (P < 0.05) greater pain intensity, more widespread pain, greater depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing, higher pain interference, and lower function. OS measures were not significantly associated with sleep disturbance or anxiety levels (P >0.10). The results build on prior case-control findings suggesting that presence of a CP diagnosis is associated with elevated OS, highlighting that it may specifically be individuals displaying characteristics of the dysfunctional CP phenotype who are characterized by elevated OS. Clinical implications of these findings remain to be determined.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function instruments compare favorably to legacy patient-reported outcome measures in spine patients: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Preliminary evidence has suggested favorable correlation between National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assessments and traditional ("legacy") patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in spine surgery. There has been a significant increase in PROMIS research with regards to spinal conditions.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an assessment of PROMIS Physical Function (PF) measures in this patient population.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify published articles that referenced the various PROMIS PF measures. Two authors independently reviewed selected studies. The search returned 1,060 studies, 124 of which were selected for independent review by two authors. Of these, 37 were selected for inclusion. Mixed linear models were performed to assess for differences between legacy PROMs and PROMIS measures.

RESULTS

The combined sample size of all included studies yielded 10,296 total patients. Overall, PROMIS Physical Function (PF) measures demonstrated strong correlations with legacy PROMs when evaluating spine patients (weighted Pearson correlation, 0.589, standard error [SE]=0.023; weighted Spearman correlation, 0.702, SE=0.028). PROMIS questionnaires had significantly fewer questions than did legacy PROMs (4.2±0.30 vs. 9.53±0.82, p=.015). In spine studies, the PROMIS PF forms were completed in significantly less time than legacy PROMs (48.1±2.9 vs. 174.7±12.6 seconds, p<.001). The differences for the reliability measures and the floor and ceiling effects were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System PF forms compare favorably with legacy PROMs with regard to correlations, ease of use, and quality criteria in the field of spine surgery. PROMIS PF scores correlate strongly with commonly used legacy PROMs, particularly in spine patients. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System PF forms can be administered efficiently and to a broad patient population while remaining highly reliable.

Change in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures as Predictors of Revision Lumbar Decompression Procedures

Objective

To assess change in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) as predictors for revision lumbar decompression (LD).

Methods

Patients who underwent primary, single or multilevel LD were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized according to whether or not they underwent revision LD within 2 years of the primary procedure. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item Short Form Health Survey and 12-item Veterans RAND physical component score (SF-12 PCS and VR-12 PCS), and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS-PF) were recorded. Delta PROM scores were evaluated for differences between groups and as a risk factor for a revision LD.

Results

The study included 135 patients, 91 undergoing a primary procedure only and 44 undergoing a primary and revision procedure. Matched patients did not demonstrate any significant differences in demographics or perioperative characteristics. Patients who underwent a revision had a mean time to revision of 7.4 ± 5.7 months. Primary cohort significantly improved for all PROMs (all p < 0.05), while the primary plus revision cohort significantly improved for VAS back, ODI, and PROMIS-PF (all p < 0.05). However, cohorts differed in VAS back and PROMIS-PF (p < 0.05). Delta PROMs were not a significant risk factor for revision except at 6 months for PROMIS-PF (p = 0.024).

Conclusion

LD has been associated with reliable outcomes, but early identification of patients at risk for revision is critical. This study suggests that tools such as PROMIS-PF may serve a role in predicting who is at risk and the 6-month follow-up period may be valuable for counseling patients who are not experiencing improvement.

90-Day Bundled Payment Simulation, Health Care Utilization, and Complications following Craniopharyngioma Resection in Adult Patients

Context Bundled payment and health care utilization models inform cost optimization and surgical outcomes. Economic analysis of payment plans for craniopharyngioma resection is unknown.

Objective This study aimed to identify impact of endocrine and nonendocrine complications (EC and NEC, respectively) on health care utilization and bundled payments following craniopharyngioma resection.

Design This study is presented as a retrospective cohort analysis (2000–2016) with 2 years of follow-up.

Setting The study included national inpatient hospitalization and outpatient visits.

Patients Patients undergoing craniopharyngioma resection were divided into the following four groups: group 1, no complications (NC); group 2, only EC; group 3, NEC; and group 4, both endocrine and nonendocrine complications (ENEC).

Interventions This study investigated transphenoidal or subfrontal approach for tumor resection.

Main Outcome Hospital readmission, health care utilization up to 24 months following discharge, and 90-day bundled payment performances are primary outcomes of this study.

Results Median index hospitalization payments were significantly lower for patients in NC cohort ($28,672) compared with those in EC ($32,847), NEC ($36,259), and ENEC ($32,596; p < 0.0001). Patients in ENEC incurred higher outpatient services and overall median payments at 6 months (NC: 38,268; EC: 49,844; NEC: 68,237; and ENEC: 81,053), 1 year (NC: 46,878; EC: 58,210; NEC: 81,043; and ENEC: 94,768), and 2 years (NC: 58,391; EC: 70,418; NEC: 98,838; and ENEC: 1,11,841; p < 0.0001). The 90-day median bundled payment was significantly different among the cohorts with the highest in ENEC ($60,728) and lowest in the NC ($33,089; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion ENEC following surgery incurred almost two times the overall median payments at 90 days, 6 months, 1 year. and 2 years compared with those without complications. Bundled payment model may not be a feasible option in this patient population. Type of complications and readmission rates should be considered to optimize payment model prediction following craniopharyngioma resection.

Are endogenous opioid mechanisms involved in the effects of aerobic exercise training on chronic low back pain? A randomized controlled trial

Aerobic exercise is believed to be an effective chronic low back pain (CLBP) intervention, although its mechanisms remain largely untested. This study evaluated whether endogenous opioid (EO) mechanisms contributed to the analgesic effects of an aerobic exercise intervention for CLBP. Individuals with CLBP were randomized to a 6-week, 18-session aerobic exercise intervention (n = 38) or usual activity control (n = 44). Before and after the intervention, participants underwent separate laboratory sessions to assess responses to evoked heat pain after receiving saline placebo or intravenous naloxone (opioid antagonist) in a double-blinded, crossover fashion. Chronic pain intensity and interference were assessed before and after the intervention. Endogenous opioid analgesia was indexed by naloxone-placebo condition differences in evoked pain responses (blockade effects). Relative to controls, exercise participants reported significantly greater pre-post intervention decreases in chronic pain intensity and interference (Ps < 0.04) and larger reductions in placebo condition evoked pain responsiveness (McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form [MPQ]-Total). At the group level, EO analgesia (MPQ-Total blockade effects) increased significantly pre-post intervention only among female exercisers (P = 0.03). Dose-response effects were suggested by a significant positive association in the exercise group between exercise intensity (based on meeting heart rate targets) and EO increases (MPQ-Present Pain Intensity; P = 0.04). Enhanced EO analgesia (MPQ-Total) was associated with a significantly greater improvement in average chronic pain intensity (P = 0.009). Aerobic exercise training in the absence of other interventions appears effective for CLBP management. Aerobic exercise-related enhancements in endogenous pain inhibition, in part EO-related, likely contribute to these benefits.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Validation for Use in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A 2-Year Follow-up Study

Objective

Our study aims to evaluate the correlation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS PF) with legacy patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) among patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Methods

A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed for ACDF surgeries performed between May 2015 and September 2017. Inclusion criteria were primary elective, single- or multilevel ACDFs for degenerative spinal pathology. Patients lacking preoperative or 2-year PROMIS PF surveys were excluded. Mean scores were calculated for visual analogue scale (VAS) neck, VAS arm, Neck Disability Index (NDI), 12-Item Short Form Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS), and PROMIS PF at preoperative and 6-week, 12-week, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year postoperative timepoints. A t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were utilized to evaluate score improvement and PROM relationships respectively.

Results

The 50 subject cohort was 60.0% male, 50% obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) and had an average age of 50.9 years. Significant improvements were demonstrated for VAS neck and NDI at all postoperative timepoints (p < 0.001) and for SF-12 and PROMIS PF at all timepoints except 6 weeks (p ≤ 0.025). VAS arm improvement was seen up to 1 year (p ≤ 0.016). PROMIS PF demonstrated strong correlations with NDI and SF-12 PCS at all evaluated timepoints and with VAS neck at all postoperative timepoints except 6 weeks (all p < 0.01).

Conclusion

PROMIS PF was strongly correlated with pain, disability, and physical function up to 2 years for patients undergoing ACDF. Our results support the long-term validity of PROMIS PF for measurement of patient-reported physical function among ACDF cohorts.

The association between patient rating of their spine surgeon and quality of postoperative outcome

OBJECTIVE

The Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) survey was developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a result of their value-based purchasing initiative. It allows patients to rate their experience with their provider in the outpatient setting. This presents a unique situation in healthcare in which the patient experience drives the marketplace, and since its creation, providers have sought to improve patient satisfaction. Within the spine surgery setting, however, the question remains whether improved patient satisfaction correlates with improved outcomes.

METHODS

All patients who had undergone lumbar spine surgery between 2009 and 2017 and who completed a CG-CAHPS survey after their procedure were studied. Demographic and surgical characteristics were then obtained. The primary outcomes of this study include patient-reported health outcomes measures such as the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health (PROMIS-GH) surveys for both mental health (PROMIS-GH-MH) and physical health (PROMIS-GH-PH), and the visual analog scale for back pain (VAS-BP). A multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess whether patient satisfaction with their provider was associated with changes in each health status measure after adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

The study population included 647 patients who had undergone lumbar spine surgery. Of these, 564 (87%) indicated that they were satisfied with the care they received. Demographic and surgical characteristics were largely similar between the two groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that patient satisfaction with their provider was not a significant predictor of change in two of the three patient-reported outcomes (PROMIS-GH-MH and PROMIS-GH-PH) assessed at 1 year. However, top-box patient satisfaction with their provider was a significant predictor of improvement in VAS-BP scores at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors found that after adjusting for patient-level covariates such as age, diagnosis of disc displacement, self-reported mental health, self-reported overall health, and preoperative patient-reported outcome measure status, a significant association was observed between top-box overall provider rating and 1-year improvement in VAS-BP, but no such association was observed for PROMIS-GH-PH and PROMIS-GH-MH. This suggests that pain-related outcome measures may serve as better predictors of patients' satisfaction with their spine surgeons. Furthermore, this suggests that the current method by which patient satisfaction is being assessed and publicly reported may not necessarily correlate with validated measures that are used within the spine surgery setting to assess surgical efficacy.

The Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System in Spine: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was developed to provide an easily administered patient-outcome questionnaire that was adaptable to a variety of medical and surgical subspecialties. Numerous authors have examined the effectiveness of PROMIS in various areas of spine surgery. Our goal was to systematically review PROMIS scores compared with legacy patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) in spinal surgery and spine pathology.

METHODS

A systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was performed, yielding 254 unique studies reporting on "PROMIS" in "spine." Each study was independently reviewed. A total of 16 studies were selected for inclusion.

RESULTS

The pooled sample size yielded a total of 4268 patients. In the cervical population, PROMIS physical function (PF; |r| = .47-.87, pain intensity (PIn; |r| = .61-.74), pain interference (PIf; |r| = .65-.88), and pain behavior (PB; |r| = .59-.74) correlated with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). PROMIS PF also strongly correlated with the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale (mJOA; |r| = .61-.72). Among patients with lumbar pathology and adult spinal deformities, PROMIS PF (|r| = .53-.85), PIn (|r| = .73-.78), PIf (|r| = .59-.89), and PB (|r| = .58-.82) strongly correlated with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). PF (|r| = .51-.78), PIf (|r| = .60-.70), and anxiety (|r| = .73) also strongly correlated with the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 and SRS-30. When comparing measures of global health, PROMIS PF was strongly correlated with the Short Form (SF)-12 and SF-36 (|r| = .50-.85). On average, all PROMIS domains required less time to complete (49.6-56 seconds) than the ODI (176 seconds), NDI (190.3 seconds), SF-12 (214 seconds), and SF-36 physical function domains (99 seconds). The responsiveness of the PROMIS PF, PIf, and PB was comparable to that of legacy measures ODI, NDI, and SF-12.

CONCLUSIONS

The PROMIS PF, PIn, PIf, and PB demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with NDI, mJOA, ODI, SRS, and SF-12 measures in various populations of spine patients. All PROMIS domains had decreased time to completion and similar responsiveness compared with legacy measures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These results highlight the potential of PROMIS as a valid and reliable tool to assess patient-reported outcomes in spinal surgery patients and support more widespread use of PROMIS in spine.

PROMIS Physical Function Predicts Postoperative Pain and Disability Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine if preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) score is predictive of improvement in pain and physical function following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Few studies have investigated the predictive nature of PROMIS PF of patients undergoing spine surgery, such as ACDF.

METHODS

Patients undergoing a primary, 1-3-level ACDF were retrospectively reviewed and were stratified into 3 cohorts according to preoperative PROMIS PF scores: minimal disability (score 50-60), mild disability (score 40-50), moderate disability (score 30-40), and severe disability (score 20-30). Preoperative PROMIS PF cohorts were tested for an association with demographics, perioperative characteristics, and improvement in Neck Disability Index (NDI), 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Score (SF-12 PCS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck and arm pain using χ analysis and multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 126 patients were included: 11 had a minimal disability, 44 had mild disability, 54 had moderate disability, and 17 had severe disability. Patients with a severe disability experienced no statistically significant increase in their length of stay. Greater preoperative disability demonstrated lower NDI and SF-12 PCS scores preoperatively and at each postoperative timepoint. Greater preoperative disability had worse VAS neck and arm pain preoperatively and 6-week and 3-month postoperatively. Although patients with severe disability trended worse VAS neck and arm pain at the 6-month follow-up, this did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

In this investigation, patients with worse PROMIS PF scores reported greater pain and disability in the preoperative period and experienced less improvement in NDI, SF-12 PCS, and VAS back and leg following ACDF. PROMIS PF is an efficient and accurate instrument that can effectively evaluate strength, mobility, and coordination in the preoperative period and may be used to predict clinical outcomes following ACDF.

Comparison of patient-reported outcomes measurement information system and legacy instruments in multiple domains among older veterans with chronic back pain

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) results in significant physical, psycho-social and socioeconomic burden. Identifying efficient and reliable patient reported outcome measures is critical for research and clinical purposes. The NIH's Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments have not been compared to validated "legacy" instruments in older adults with cLBP. This study evaluates construct (convergent and discriminant) validity and time to complete (TTC) PROMIS as compared to legacy instruments.

METHODS

We enrolled older Veterans (age 60+) with cLBP with/without leg pain scheduled for lumbar epidural steroid injections. Subjects completed PROMIS computer adaptive test item banks and corresponding legacy instruments in the following domains: pain intensity, interference, and behavior; functional status; depression and anxiety; fatigue; sleep and social functioning. Convergent and discriminant validity between PROMIS and legacy instruments was evaluated using Spearman rank order correlations; Mann-Whitney U tests compared TTC.

RESULTS

Of the 71 Veterans recruited, the median (IQR) age was 67 (63-71) years old, 94% were men, 76% were White, 17% Black, and 96% were Non-Hispanic. Spearman correlations between PROMIS and legacy instruments showed moderate to very strong convergent validity in all domains (r = 0.4-1.0), except for social functioning and pain behavior (PROMIS Pain Behavior with Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire). The total median TTC for all PROMIS items was significantly shorter than legacy items, 8 min 50 s vs 29 min 14 s respectively, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

Given time efficiency of using PROMIS, along with strong construct validity, PROMIS instruments are a practical choice for measuring multidimensional PROs in older Veterans with cLBP for both research and clinical purposes.

Psychometric Evaluation of Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Computer Adaptive Testing in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery: An Analysis of Responsiveness, Coverage, Discriminant Validity, and Concurrent Validity

INTRODUCTION

Although the Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is increasingly being used, there are few studies assessing the psychometric properties of PROMIS in minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery. Thus, the purpose of this study was to perform a psychometric evaluation of PROMIS Physical Function Computer Adaptive Testing (PROMIS-PF CAT) in MIS lumbar surgery.

METHODS

The patient-reported outcome measures collected preoperatively and postoperatively of patients undergoing MIS lumbar surgery were retrospectively analyzed to assess responsiveness, coverage, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity of PROMIS-PF CAT.

RESULTS

Four hundred twenty-one patients were included. The responsiveness of PROMIS Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) was lower than that of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) in the decompression subgroup. Although the ODI had a ceiling effect of 16.7% at 1 year, the Short-Form 12 physical health score and PROMIS-PF did not show floor or ceiling effects. PROMIS-PF demonstrated discriminant validity preoperatively and postoperatively and convergent validity with the ODI, as evidenced by a significant strong negative correlation but not with the Short-Form 12 Physical Health Score, as evidenced by the variability in strength of correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the PROMIS-PF showed lower responsiveness than the ODI, particularly in the decompression subgroup, it demonstrated discriminant validity preoperatively and postoperatively, convergent validity with ODI, and better coverage than ODI. These findings suggest that the PROMIS-PF CAT demonstrates reasonable psychometric properties and may be a good surrogate for the ODI.

Using PROMIS-29 to predict Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores using a national sample of cervical spine surgery patients

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are valuable tools for evaluating the success of spine surgery, with the Neck Disability Index (NDI) commonly used to assess pain-related disability. Recently, patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) has gained attention in its ability to measure PROs across general patient populations. However, PROMIS is not condition-specific so spine researchers are reluctant to incorporate it in place of common legacy measures.

PURPOSE

To compare the PROMIS-29 (v2.0) to the NDI and compute a conversion equation.

STUDY DESIGN

This study retrospectively analyzes prospectively collected data from the cervical module of national spine registry, the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD).

PATIENT SAMPLE

The QOD was queried for cervical spine surgery patients with PROMIS-29 and NDI scores. The cervical module of QOD includes patients undergoing primary or revision surgery for cervical degenerative spine diseases. Exclusion criteria included age under 18 years and diagnoses of infection, tumor, or trauma as the cause of cervical-related pain.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcome of interest for this study was a conversion equation from PROMIS-29 to NDI.

METHODS

The PROMIS-29 includes seven 4-item domains each rated on a 5-point scale: Physical function, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbance, ability to participate in social roles and activities (social roles), and pain interference plus one stand-alone pain intensity item. The NDI contains 10 pain-related questions scored from 0 (no pain) to 5 (most severe pain). Outcomes were collected prior to surgery and at 3- and 12-month post surgery. Patients were included in the current analysis if they had outcome data available at one or more time points. Multivariable mixed effects regression models predicting NDI scores from PROMIS-29 domains were conducted in a development data set and validated in a separate data set. Predicted NDI scores were plotted against NDI scores to determine how well PROMIS-29 domains predicted NDI. Conversion equations were created from the PROMIS-29 regression coefficients.

RESULTS

2,018 patients from 18 US hospitals were included (mean age=57 years (SD=12)) with 48% female, 87% Caucasian, and 11% had revision surgery. Strong correlations were found between NDI and pain interference (r=0.79), pain intensity (r=0.74), social roles (r=-0.71), physical function (r=-0.69), sleep disturbance (r=0.63), fatigue (r=0.63), and anxiety (r=0.54). Correlation between NDI and depression (r=0.49) was slightly weaker. The pattern of correlations was consistent across timepoints. Four conversion equations were created for NDI using (1) only pain interference, (2) only physical function, (3) pain interference and physical function, and (4) the five statistically significant domains of pain interference, physical function, social roles, sleep disturbance, and anxiety, plus the pain intensity item. Equations 1, 3, and 4 were the best predictors of NDI, predicting approximately 80% of NDI scores within 15 points in the validation data set. Equation 4 (NDI_%=18.897+0.855*[pain interference_raw]-0.694*[physical function_raw]+2.010*[pain intensity_raw]-0.663*[social roles_raw]+0.732*[sleep disturbance_raw]+0.426*[anxiety_raw]) predicted NDI most accurately with an R² between the predicted and actual NDI scores of 0.72. Model 1 (R² = 0.62; NDI_%=-4.055+3.164*[pain interference_raw])) and Model 3 (R²=0.65; NDI%=17.321+2.543*[pain interference_raw]-1.012*[physical function_raw]) also had good accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest accurate NDI scores can be derived from PROMIS-29 domains. Clinicians who want to move from NDI to PROMIS-29 can use this equation to obtain estimated NDI scores when only collecting PROMIS-29. These results support the use of PROMIS-29 in cervical surgery populations and underscore the idea that PROMIS-29 domains have the potential to replace disease-specific traditional PROMs.

Association of Preoperative PROMIS Scores With Short-term Postoperative Improvements in Physical Function After Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Objective

This study examines the associations between preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) score, measured by PROMIS-PF and the change between pre- and postoperative PROMIS-PF scores.

Methods

A prospectively maintained surgical registry was retrospectively reviewed for spine surgeries between May 2015–June 2019. Inclusion criteria were primary, single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions. Revisions, multilevel procedures, and patients missing preoperative surveys were excluded. Patients were grouped by preoperative PROMIS-PF scores of ≥ 35 and < 35, with higher scores indicating greater PF. A chi-squared and Student t-test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables respectively. Linear regression evaluated the relationship of PROMIS-PF score improvement.

Results

Of the 180 subjects, 84 were in the PROMIS-PF < 35 group which had more obese patients (p < 0.001) and more males (p = 0.001). Length of stay was greater for the PROMIS-PF < 35 group (36.2 hours vs. 28.7 hours, p = 0.014). PROMIS-PF and Oswestry Disability Index scores were significantly different between subgroups at all timepoints. PROMIS-PF < 35 cohort had larger postoperative PROMIS-PF improvements at 6 weeks (p = 0.008) and 12 weeks (p = 0.003). Linear regression demonstrated a negative association between preoperative PROMIS-PF scores and improvement at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 2 years (p < 0.001). PROMIS-PF < 35 demonstrated significantly lower rate of achieving minimum clinically important difference at 6 months, otherwise no difference observed throughout the 2-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Up to 6 months postoperatively, lower preoperative PROMIS-PF scores were associated with larger PROMIS-PF improvements. Understanding the relationship preoperative PROMIS-PF scores have with postoperative improvement may enable better patient counseling.

ODI Cannot Account for All Variation in PROMIS Scores in Patients With Thoracolumbar Disorders

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of single institution.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores in thoracolumbar patients.

METHODS

Included: Patients ≥18 years with a thoracolumbar spine condition (spinal stenosis, disc herniation, low back pain, disc degeneration, spondylolysis). Bivariate correlations assessed the linear relationships between ODI and PROMIS (Physical Function, Pain Intensity, and Pain Interference). Correlation cutoffs assessed patients with high and low correlation between ODI and PROMIS. Linear regression predicted the relationship of ODI to PROMIS.

RESULTS

A total of 206 patients (age 53.7 ± 16.6 years, 49.5% female) were included. ODI correlated with PROMIS Physical Function (r = -0.763, P < .001), Pain Interference (r = 0.800, P < .001), and Pain Intensity (r = 0.706, P < .001). ODI strongly predicted PROMIS for Physical Function (R ² = 0.58, P < .001), Pain Intensity (R ² = 0.50, P < .001), and Pain Interference (R ² = 0.64, P < .001); however, there is variability in PROMIS that ODI cannot account for. ODI questions about sitting and sleeping were weakly correlated across the 3 PROMIS domains. Linear regression showed overall ODI score as accounting for 58.3% (R ² = 0.583) of the variance in PROMIS Physical Function, 63.9% (R ² = 0.639) of the variance in Pain Interference score, and 49.9% (R ² = 0.499) of the variance in Pain Intensity score.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a large amount of variability with PROMIS that cannot be accounted for with ODI. ODI questions regarding walking, social life, and lifting ability correlate strongly with PROMIS while sitting, standing, and sleeping do not. These results reinforce the utility of PROMIS as a valid assessment for low back disability, while indicating the need for further evaluation of the factors responsible for variation between PROMIS and ODI.

Outcomes and value in elective cervical spine surgery: an introductory and practical narrative review

How we determine a successful clinical outcome and the value of a spine intervention are two major questions surrounding clinical spine research. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), both LEGACY and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures, are becoming ubiquitous throughout the literature. Spine surgeons need a facile understanding of the financial landscape of their environment to influence change. In the current introductory, narrative review on outcomes and value in cervical spine surgery, we aim to: (I) define relevant outcome and cost terminology, (II) review recent cervical spine surgery literature, divided by specific pathology with a focus on LEGACY and PROMIS measures, and (III) discuss value and cost as they pertain to postoperative return to work and ambulatory surgery centers surgeries.

Correlation between NDI, PROMIS and SF-12 in cervical spine surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

As the focus in spine surgery has shifted from radiographic to patient-centric outcome, patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) are becoming increasingly important. They are linked to patient satisfaction, and are used to assess healthcare expenditure, determine compensation and evaluate cost-effectiveness. Thus, PROMs are important to various stakeholders, including patients, physicians, payers, and healthcare institutions. Thus, it is vital to establish methods to interpret and evaluate these outcome measures.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the correlation between Neck Disability Index (NDI), Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) and Short Form-12 Physical Health Score (SF-12 PHS) in cervical spinal surgery in order to determine the validity of PROMIS-PF in these patients.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Consecutive patients who underwent cervical surgery for degenerative spinal pathology with a minimum of 3 months follow-up.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported measures that is, PROMs including NDI, PROMIS-PF, and SF-12 PHS.

METHODS

No funding was received for this study. The authors report no relevant conflict of interest. PROM collected preoperatively and at each follow-up were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation.

RESULTS

Of the 121 patients included, 66 underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, 42 cervical disc replacement, 13 posterior cervical decompression with or without fusion. A statistically significant improvement was achieved in all PROMs by 6 weeks and maintained at 1 year. Furthermore, the percentage of patients achieving an improvement greater than minimum clinically important difference was similar for NDI and PROMIS-PF, particularly at a follow-up of 3 months or more. A statistically significant negative correlation was seen between NDI and PROMIS-PF, which was moderate preoperatively and in the early postoperative period (r=-0.565 to -0.600), and strong at 3 months or longer follow-up (r=-0.622 to -0.705). A statistically significant, negative correlation was also seen between SF-12 PHS and NDI, which was moderate preoperatively and at 6 weeks (r=-0.5551 to -0.566); and strong at all other time-points (r=-0.678 to -0.749). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between SF-12 PHS and PROMIS-PF, which was strong to very-strong at all time-points (r=0.644-0.822), except at 2 weeks (r=0.570).

CONCLUSIONS

Although NDI and SF-12 have been used for several years, PROMIS is a new outcome measure that is increasingly being implemented. The results of our study demonstrate the convergent and discriminant validity of PROMIS-PF, supported by the strong correlation between SF-12 PHS and PROMIS-PF at all time-points and the moderate correlation between NDI and PROMIS-PF preoperatively and in the early postoperative period, respectively. Thus, while PROMIS-PF may not be a good surrogate for disease-specific outcome measures, it may extend value as a precise and efficient general health tool.

Validation of PROMIS CATs and PROMIS Global Health in an Interdisciplinary Pain Program for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To (1) confirm validity of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function and pain interference computer-adaptive tests (CATs) and (2) assess the validity of PROMIS Global Health (GH) and five additional PROMIS CATs: social role satisfaction, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance in a population of patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) who completed a 3-month Interdisciplinary Pain Program (IPP).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Recent recommendations for assessing outcomes in patients with cLBP have included PROMIS scales; however, there is a need for further evaluation, and PROMIS GH has not been studied in this population.

METHODS

The study cohort included patients with cLBP who completed the entirety of a 3-month IPP between August 2016 and December 2018. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were analyzed before the start of the IPP and at graduation. Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Known groups' validity assessed the change in PROMIS scores stratified by improvement on the Modified LBP Disability Questionnaire. Responsiveness was evaluated with standardized response means based on global impression of change.

RESULTS

IPP was completed by 217 patients (67.7% women, age 53.8 ± 12.8). Convergent validity was supported (P < 0.01 for all pairwise PROMs comparisons). All PROMs improved significantly by graduation, with the largest improvement for PROMIS pain interference, physical function, social role satisfaction, and Modified LBP Disability Questionnaire. Known groups' validity demonstrated the greatest change on PROMIS physical function, social role satisfaction, pain interference, and depression. Responsiveness was supported for all PROMs in 170 (78.3%) patients who indicated at least minimal improvement (standardized response means 0.43-1.06).

CONCLUSION

Our study provides support of PROMIS CATs, highlights the importance of including other meaningful outcome measures, such as social role satisfaction, and provides the first validation of PROMIS GH, in patients with cLBP. PROMs collection can be streamlined through the use of PROMIS CATs which offer advantages over legacy measures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Evaluating the Concurrent Validity of PROMIS Physical Function in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a retrospective cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the concurrent validity of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) domain as compared with legacy measures of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

As PROMIS becomes increasingly utilized, it is important to assess its validity among procedure-specific populations.

METHODS

Patients undergoing a primary, 1-3 level ACDF were retrospectively identified from a prospectively maintained surgical registry. PROMIS PF and legacy PRO scores were obtained at preoperative, 6-week, 12-week, and 6-month postoperative visits. Legacy PROs included Neck Disability Index (NDI), Short Form-12 (SF-12) physical composite, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck pain, and VAS arm pain. Postoperative improvements in PROs were assessed using paired t tests. Correlations between PROMIS and legacy PROs were tested using Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

A total of 57 ACDF patients were analyzed. The mean preoperative PROMIS PF was 40.0±6.4. PROMIS PF significantly improved at 12-week and 6-month follow-up. NDI, VAS neck pain, and VAS arm pain scores demonstrated significant improvement at all postoperative time points. SF-12 scores only exhibited significant improvement at the 6-month follow-up visit. Significant correlations between PROMIS PF, NDI, and SF-12 were identified at all preoperative and postoperative time points. PROMIS PF exhibited strong correlations with VAS neck pain at postoperative time points, and a moderate correlation preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing a primary 1-3 level ACDF experience significant improvements in PROMIS PF scores at 12-week and 6-month follow-up. Furthermore, PROMIS PF exhibits strong correlations to NDI and SF-12 at all preoperative and postoperative time points. These results suggest that PROMIS PF accurately measures PF and may be used in lieu of legacy PF instruments for patients undergoing ACDF.

The Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function to Predict Outcomes Based on Body Mass Index Following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

OBJECTIVE

To determine clinical outcomes in obese patients compared with non-obese patients utilizing Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Although obesity is a risk factor for poor outcomes after spinal fusion, there has not been a study to evaluate clinical outcomes of obese patients utilizing the PROMIS PF survey.

METHODS

Patients undergoing MIS TLIF were stratified into three cohorts: non-obese (body mass index [BMI] ≤ 29.9 kg/m), obese I (BMI = 30.0-34.9 kg/m), and obese II-III (BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m). Demographic and perioperative characteristics were compared using chi-squared analysis and linear regression. Change in PROMIS PF scores was calculated using paired t tests. Differences in PROMIS PF scores at each postoperative timepoint and changes in PROMIS PF from baseline were compared using linear regression.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-six patients were included: 101 were non-obese, 41 were classified as obese I, and 44 were classified as obese II-III. Obese patients were more likely to be diabetic. Otherwise, no significant differences in demographic and perioperative characteristics were identified. Patients with higher BMIs reported significantly lower PROMIS PF scores at preoperative and all postoperative timepoints. However, patients experienced similar improvements through 6-month follow-up in PROMIS PF scores regardless of BMI. For the non-obese cohort, the change in the postoperative PROMIS PF score from baseline was significant at every postoperative timepoint. However, for the obese I and obese II-III cohorts, the change in the PROMIS PF score from baseline was significant at the 3-month and 6-month timepoints, but not at the 6-week timepoint.

CONCLUSION

Patients with higher BMI had lower preoperative PROMIS PF scores and experienced similar improvement in PROMIS PF scores in the postoperative period. This study established that PROMIS PF may be utilized to evaluate the recovery of obese patients following MIS TLIF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

A Prospective, Psychometric Validation of National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function, Pain Interference, and Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Testing in Cervical Spine Patients: Successes and Key Limitations

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective Cohort Study OBJECTIVE.: The aim of this study was to validate the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) against existing patient-reported outcomes in the cervical spine.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Current patient-reported outcomes in cervical spine have substantial limitations. PROMIS offers the potential for improved psychometric properties with reduced questionnaire burden.

METHODS

Adult patients undergoing cervical spine surgery at a single institution between 2016 and 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Patients completed questionnaires (36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36], Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Scale arm/neck, and PROMIS pain Interference [PI], physical Function [PF], and Upper Extremity [UE]) preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Demographic data, diagnosis, and procedural data were recorded. Validation of the instruments was completed with a Rasch Model as well as measurement of coverage, efficiency, test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and convergent validity.

RESULTS

Of 197 patients who completed the preoperative survey, 164 were eligible for 6-month follow-up and 139 completed 6-month postoperative surveys. The most common diagnoses were radiculopathy (37.6%), myeloradiculopathy (30.5%), and myelopathy (28.4%). All studied instruments had acceptable fit to a Rasch model. PROMIS computer adaptive testings (CATs) demonstrated improved average time to completion for PI (39 seconds), PF (47 seconds), and UE (54  seconds), compared to NDI (117 s) and SF-36 PCS (175 seconds). Responsiveness for PROMIS CATs was similar to NDI and SF-36, test-retest reliability was lower for PI (intraclass correlation: 0.68), PF (0.70), and UE (0.59), compared to NDI (0.86) and PCS (0.85). For convergent validity, PI was strongly correlated to NDI and PF to SF-36 PCS. There were no significant floor or ceiling effects for the PROMIS domains, although UE had preoperative clustering (n = 18) at a high score (56.4) and PI had postoperative clustering (n = 27) at a low score (38.7).

CONCLUSION

PROMIS CATs demonstrate several advantages, including efficiency and responsiveness, while demonstrating good convergent validity with legacy instruments. Nevertheless, CATs had lower test-retest reliability and had significant clustering at higher levels of function for the PI and UE CATs. These limitations must be considered before broad adoption of CATs in cervical spine patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Which NDI domains best predict change in physical function in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery?

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Physical function is a critical aspect of patient outcomes. NDI is a widely validated outcome measure in cervical spine disease, yet to what extent its individual domains predict changes in physical function remains unknown.

PURPOSE

To examine the impact of individual NDI domains on changes in physical function in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Prospective Cohort Study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Adult patients undergoing cervical spine surgery, excluding those undergoing surgery for instability due to trauma.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Absolute change in outcome measures (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS] Physical Function [PF], Short Form 36 [SF-36] Physical Component Score [PCS], and Neck Disability Index [NDI]) from pre- to postoperatively, correlation of NDI individual domains with PROMIS PF and SF-36 PCS (preoperatively, postoperatively, and change from pre- to postoperatively).

METHODS

Patients undergoing cervical spine surgery between 2016 and 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Patients completed questionnaires (NDI, SF-36 PCS, and PROMIS PF) preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Patient demographics, including age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and underlying diagnoses were collected. Comparisons between NDI scores preoperatively versus postoperatively were conducted using Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. Correlations of NDI individual items and PROMIS/SF-36 were assessed using Pearson correlation. A stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to identify NDI items that are independently predictive of PROMIS PF and SF-36 PCS.

RESULTS

A total of 137 patients were included in the study, with mean age 56.9 years (range 24.4-84.9). Each of the NDI domains as well as PROMIS PF and SF-36 PCS demonstrated significant improvement following cervical spine surgery (p<.001). Changes in all NDI domains demonstrated significant negative correlation with changes in PROMIS PF, with recreation (R=-0.537, p<.001), work (R=-0.514, p<.001), and pain intensity (R=-0.488, p<.001) having the greatest negative correlation. Changes in all NDI domains demonstrated significant negative correlation with changes in SF-36 PCS, with recreation (R=-0.451, p<.001), work (R=-0.443, p<.001), lifting (R=-0.373, p<.001), and driving (R=-0.373, p<.001) having the greatest negative correlation. For PROMIS PF, the NDI domains that were independently associated with changes in PF were work (R=-0.092, p=.001), pain intensity (R=-0.089, p=.003), and recreation (R=-0.067, p=.004). For SF-36 PCS, the NDI items that were independently associated with changes in PCS were work (R=-0.269, p=.003) and recreation (R=-0.215, p=.002).

CONCLUSIONS

All NDI domains improve significantly after cervical spine surgery and demonstrate significant correlation with changes in PROMIS PF and SF-36 PCS. The work, recreation, and pain intensity domains were the only independent predictors of physical function changes postoperatively. Considering physical function, our findings highlight the importance of presenting changes in individual NDI domains in addition to the total score.

Feasibility of Bundled Payments in Anterior, Middle, and Posterior Cranial Fossa Skull Base Meningioma Surgery: MarketScan Analysis of Health Care Utilization and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The aim of our study was to compare the health care utilization and outcomes after surgery for anterior cranial fossa skull base meningioma (AFM), middle cranial fossa skull base meningioma (MFM), and posterior cranial fossa skull base meningioma (PFM) across the United States.

METHODS

We queried the MarketScan database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology 4, from 2000 to 2016. We included adult patients who had at least 24 months of enrollment after the surgical procedure. The outcome of interest was length of hospital stay, disposition, complications, and reoperation after the procedure.

RESULTS

A cohort of 1191 patients was identified from the database. Less than half of patients (43.66%) were in the AFM cohort, 32.24% were in the MFM cohort, and only 24.1% were in the PFM cohort. Patients who underwent surgery for PFM had longer hospital stay (P = 0.0009), high complication rate (P = 0.0011), and less likely to be discharged home (P = 0.0013) during index hospitalization. There were no differences in overall payments at 12 months and 24 months among the cohorts. There was no significant difference in 90-day median payments among the groups ($66,212 [AFM] vs. $65,602 [MFM] and $71,837 [PFM]; P = 0.198). Male gender, commercial insurance (compared with Medicare), and higher comorbidity scores (score 3 compared with score 0) were associated with higher 90-day payments in the PFM cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall payments (at 12 months and 24 months) and 90-day payments were not different among the cohorts. Patients with PFM had longer hospital stay and higher complication rate and were less likely to be discharged home with higher utilization of outpatient services at 12 months and 24 months.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Instruments: Reliability and Validity in Veterans Following Orthopedic Surgery

The patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) offers standardized assessment measures of clinically relevant patient-reported outcomes. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of select PROMIS measures with U.S. military veterans following orthopedic surgery. Data for the current study were collected as part of a pilot randomized control trial assessing the efficacy of a 1-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshop on persistent postsurgical pain in at-risk veterans undergoing orthopedic surgery. Sixty-seven participants completed surveys 3 months after surgery. Participants completed the following PROMIS instruments: PROMIS Anxiety Short Form 8a, PROMIS Depression Short Form 8b, and PROMIS Pain Interference Short Form 8a. PROMIS measures were compared to the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item Scale, and the Brief Pain Inventory Pain Interference subscale, respectively. All three PROMIS measures demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's αs ranged from .93 to .96) and each loaded onto a single factor. The PROMIS measures were moderately correlated with their respective comparison measures (r = .69 to .76). The PROMIS anxiety and PROMIS depression measures were highly correlated to one another (r = .91). Findings highlight the potential utility of these PROMIS measures in veterans following orthopedic surgery and the overlap between the PROMIS depression and anxiety measures in this sample.

Lumbar spondylolisthesis: modern registries and the development of artificial intelligence

OBJECTIVEThere are a wide variety of comparative treatment options in neurosurgery that do not lend themselves to traditional randomized controlled trials. The object of this article was to examine how clinical registries might be used to generate new evidence to support a particular treatment option when comparable options exist. Lumbar spondylolisthesis is used as an example.METHODSThe authors reviewed the literature examining the comparative effectiveness of decompression alone versus decompression with fusion for lumbar stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Modern data acquisition for the creation of registries was also reviewed with an eye toward how artificial intelligence for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis might be explored.RESULTSCurrent randomized controlled trials differ on the importance of adding fusion when performing decompression for lumbar spondylolisthesis. Standardized approaches to extracting data from the electronic medical record as well as the ability to capture radiographic imaging and incorporate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) will ultimately lead to the development of modern, structured, data-filled registries that will lay the foundation for machine learning.CONCLUSIONSThere is a growing realization that patient experience, satisfaction, and outcomes are essential to improving the overall quality of spine care. There is a need to use practical, validated PRO tools in the quest to optimize outcomes within spine care. Registries will be designed to contain robust clinical data in which predictive analytics can be generated to develop and guide data-driven personalized spine care.

An Evaluation of PROMIS in Patients With Primary or Metastatic Spine Tumors

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data.

OBJECTIVE

In spine tumor patients: i) to assess the correlation of Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF), pain interference (PI), and Depression scores with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores; and ii) to assess ceiling and floor effects of PROMIS PF, PI, and Depression domains and the ODI/NDI.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

There remains no widely used patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument for spine tumor patients. PROMIS, a universal PRO tool, may add notable value to patient care. A paucity of work exists comparing PROMIS to legacy PRO tools in primary and metastatic spine tumor patients.

METHODS

Patients confirmed to have a primary or metastatic spine tumor were asked to complete PROMIS PF, PI, and Depression domains and either an ODI or NDI questionnaire between May 2015 and December 2017. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated. Ceiling and floor effects were determined. P < 0.05 was significant.

RESULTS

Eighty unique visits from 51 patients with spine tumors (44 metastatic/67 visits; 7 primary/13 visits) met our inclusion criteria. A strong correlation existed between PROMIS PI and the ODI/NDI in both primary and metastatic tumor patient subgroups (range, r = 0.75-0.86, P < 0.05). PROMIS PF and the ODI/NDI demonstrated a strong correlation among all patients (r = -0.75, P < 0.05) and in the metastatic disease subgroup (r = -0.78, P < 0.05). A strong correlation existed between PROMIS Depression and the ODI/NDI in the primary tumor subgroup (r = 0.79, P < 0.05). PROMIS Depression demonstrated the largest floor effect (13.6%); there were similar ceiling effects.

CONCLUSION

PROMIS PF and PI domains correlate well with the ODI/NDI in spine tumor patients and have a similar ceiling effect but decreased floor effect. PROMIS Depression was not as well captured, except in the primary tumor subgroup.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2.