Factors Impacting Outcomes and Health Care Utilization in Osteoporotic Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spine Fusions: A MarketScan Database Analysis

The Association of Preoperative Bone Mineral Density and Outcomes after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Systematic Review

STUDY DESIGN

This is a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) outcomes and complications as a function of preoperative bone mineral density (BMD).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Preoperative BMD optimization is commonly initiated before lumbar spinal fusion, but the effects of BMD on ACDF are less known. Consequently, it remains unclear whether preoperative BMD optimization is recommended before ACDF.

METHODS

This systematic review included relevant clinical articles using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and MEDLINE from database inception until October 1, 2023. Eligible studies included those evaluating low BMD and outcomes after ACDF. All articles were graded using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) scale and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) assessment tools.

RESULTS

The initial retrieval yielded 4271 articles for which 4 articles with 671 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean patient age was 56.4 ± 3.9 years, and 331 patients (49.3%) were female. A total of 265 (39.5%) patients had low BMD (T score<-1.0) before ACDF. Preoperative low BMD was associated with cage subsidence in single-level ACDF (odds ratio (OR) 2.57; P=0.063; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.95-6.95), but this result did not reach statistical significance. Osteoporosis (T score<-2.5) was associated with the development of adjacent segment disease following ACDF (OR 4.41; P<0.01; 95% CI: 1.98-9.83). Low pre-operative BMD was associated with reoperation within 2 years (P<.05) and strongly associated with pseudarthrosis (OR: 11.01; P=0.002; 95% CI 2.4-49.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with low BMD who undergo ACDF have higher rates of subsidence, adjacent segment disease, and pseudarthrosis than those with normal BMD. Given the individual and system-wide burdens associated with these complications, some patients may benefit from preoperative BMD screening and optimization before undergoing ACDF.

The influence of osteoporosis on mechanical complications in lumbar fusion surgery: a systematic review

Background

Adults undergoing spine surgery often have underlying osteoporosis, which may be a risk factor for postoperative complications. Although these associations have been described, osteoporosis remains profoundly underdiagnosed and undertreated in the spine surgery population. A thorough, comprehensive systematic review summarizing the relationships between bone mineral density (BMD) and specific complications of lumbar fusion surgery could be a valuable resource for raising awareness and supporting clinical practice changes.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for original clinical research articles reporting on BMD, or surrogate measure, as a predictor of complications in adults undergoing elective lumbar fusion for degenerative disease or deformity. Endpoints included cage subsidence, screw loosening, pseudarthrosis, vertebral fracture, junctional complications, and reoperation.

Results

A total of 71 studies comprising 12,278 patients were included. Overall, considerable heterogeneity in study populations, methods of bone health assessment, and definition and evaluation of clinical endpoints precluded meta-analysis. Nevertheless, low BMD was associated with higher rates of implant failures like cage subsidence and screw loosening, which were often diagnosed with concomitant pseudarthrosis. Osteoporosis was also a significant risk factor for proximal junctional kyphosis, particularly due to fracture. Many studies found surgical site-specific BMD to best predict focal complications. Functional outcomes were inconsistently addressed.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest osteoporosis is a significant risk factor for mechanical complications of lumbar fusion. These results emphasize the importance of preoperative osteoporosis screening, which allows for medical and surgical optimization of high-risk patients. This review also highlights current practical challenges facing bone health evaluation in patients undergoing elective surgery. Future prospective studies using standardized methods are necessary to strengthen existing evidence, identify optimal predictive thresholds, and establish specialty-specific practice guidelines. In the meantime, an awareness of the surgical implications of osteoporosis and utility of preoperative screening can provide for more informed, effective patient care.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Osteoporosis on Reoperation Rates and Complications after Surgical Management of Lumbar Degenerative Disease

BACKGROUND

There is considerable heterogeneity in findings and a lack of consensus regarding the interplay between osteoporosis and outcomes in patients with lumbar degenerative spine disease. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to gather and analyze existing data on the effect of osteoporosis on radiographic, surgical, and clinical outcomes following surgery for lumbar degenerative spinal disease.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed to determine the effect of osteoporosis on the incidence of adverse outcomes after surgical intervention for lumbar degenerative spinal diseases. The approach focused on the radiographic outcomes, reoperation rates, and other medical and surgical complications. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was performed on the eligible studies.

RESULTS

The results of the meta-analysis suggested that osteoporotic patients experienced increased rates of adjacent segment disease (ASD; p=0.015) and cage subsidence (p=0.001) while demonstrating lower reoperation rates than non-osteoporotic patients (7.4% vs. 13.1%; p=0.038). The systematic review also indicated that the length of stay, overall costs, rates of screw loosening, and rates of wound and other medical complications may increase in patients with a lower bone mineral density. Fusion rates, as well as patient-reported and clinical outcomes, did not differ significantly between osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoporosis was associated with an increased risk of ASD, cage migration, and possibly postoperative screw loosening, as well as longer hospital stays, incurring higher costs and an increased likelihood of postoperative complications. However, a link was not established between osteoporosis and poor clinical outcomes.

Impact of preoperative treatment of osteoporosis on re-operations, complications and health care utilization in patients undergoing thoraco-lumbar spine fusions. A 5-year national database analysis

OBJECTIVE

Identify the impact of preoperative treatment of Osteoporosis (OP) on reoperation rates, complications and healthcare utilization following thoraco-lumbar (TL) spine fusions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used ICD9/10 and CPT codes to extract data from MarketScan (2000-2018). Patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative treatment of OP within one year prior to the index spinal fusion: medication (m-OP) cohort and non-medication (nm-OP) cohort. Outcomes (re-operation rates, re-admission, complications, healthcare utilization) were analyzed at 1-, 12-, 24- and 60-months.

RESULTS

Of 3606 patients, 65% (n = 2330) of patients did not receive OP medications (nm-OP). At index hospitalization, there were no difference in LOS (median nm-OP: 3 days vs. m-OP:4 days), discharge to home (nm-OP 80% vs. m-OP 75%) and complications (nm-OP 13% vs. m-OP 12%). Reoperation rates were not different among the cohorts at 1- (nm-OP 5.7% vs. m-OP 4.2%), 2- (nm-OP 9.4% vs. m-OP 7.8) and 5 years (nm-OP 16.9% vs. m-OP 14.8%). Patients in m-OP cohort incurred higher overall median payments at 1 year ($17,866 vs. $ 16,010), 2 years ($38,634 vs. $34,454) and 5 years ($94,797 vs. $91,072) compared to nm-OP cohort.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative treatment of OP had no impact on complications, LOS, discharge disposition following TL fusions at index hospitalization. Similarly, no impact of preoperative treatment was noted in terms of reoperation rates at 12-, 24- and 60 months following the index spine fusion. Patients who received preoperative treatment for OP incurred higher health care utilization at 12-, 24- and 60 months following surgery.