A clinical model to predict postoperative improvement in sub-domains of the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score for degenerative cervical myelopathy

PURPOSE

The modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score consists of six sub-domains and is used to quantify the severity of cervical myelopathy. The current study aimed to assess for predictors of postoperative mJOA sub-domains scores following elective surgical management for patients with cervical myelopathy and develop the first clinical prediction model for 12-month mJOA sub-domain scores.Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 1 Given name: [Byron F.] Last name [Stephens], Author 2 Given name: [Lydia J.] Last name [McKeithan], Author 3 Given name: [W. Hunter] Last name [Waddell], Author 4 Given name: [Anthony M.] Last name [Steinle], Author 5 Given name: [Wilson E.] Last name [Vaughan], Author 6 Given name: [Jacquelyn S.] Last name [Pennings], Author 7 Given name: [Jacquelyn S.] Last name [Pennings], Author 8 Given name: [Scott L.] Last name [Zuckerman], Author 9 Given name: [Kristin R.] Last name [Archer], Author 10 Given name: [Amir M.] Last name [Abtahi] Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.Last Author listed should be Kristin R. Archer METHODS: A multivariable proportional odds ordinal regression model was developed for patients with cervical myelopathy. The model included patient demographic, clinical, and surgery covariates along with baseline sub-domain scores. The model was internally validated using bootstrap resampling to estimate the likely performance on a new sample of patients.

RESULTS

The model identified mJOA baseline sub-domains to be the strongest predictors of 12-month scores, with numbness in legs and ability to walk predicting five of the six mJOA items. Additional covariates predicting three or more items included age, preoperative anxiety/depression, gender, race, employment status, duration of symptoms, smoking status, and radiographic presence of listhesis. Surgical approach, presence of motor deficits, number of surgical levels involved, history of diabetes mellitus, workers' compensation claim, and patient insurance had no impact on 12-month mJOA scores.

CONCLUSION

Our study developed and validated a clinical prediction model for improvement in mJOA scores at 12 months following surgery. The results highlight the importance of assessing preoperative numbness, walking ability, modifiable variables of anxiety/depression, and smoking status. This model has the potential to assist surgeons, patients, and families when considering surgery for cervical myelopathy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Correlation of Foraminal Parameters with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patient with Degenerative Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

The relationship between quantitative anatomic parameters in MRI and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) before and after surgery in degenerative lumbar foraminal stenosis remains unknown. We included 58 patients who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for single-level degenerative disc disease with foraminal stenosis between February 2013 and June 2020. PROs were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). The foraminal parameters assessed using preoperative MRI included foraminal height, posterior intervertebral disc height, superior and inferior foraminal width, and foraminal area. The correlation between foraminal parameters and PROs before operation, at 1 year follow-up, and change from baseline were assessed. The associations between the aforementioned parameters were examined using linear regression analysis. The analysis revealed that among these parameters, superior foraminal width was found to be significantly correlated with ODI and EQ-5D at the 1 year follow-up and with change in ODI and EQ-5D from baseline. The associations remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors including age, sex, body mass index, and duration of hospital stay. The results indicated that in degenerative lumbar foraminal stenosis, decreased superior foraminal width was associated with better improvement in disability and quality of life after TLIF.

Presenting Mental Health Influences Postoperative Clinical Trajectory and Long-Term Patient Satisfaction After Lumbar Decompression

OBJECTIVE

To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), postoperative patient-reported satisfaction, and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) achievement after minimally invasive surgery lumbar decompression (MIS-LD) in patients stratified by their preoperative 12-Item Short-Form Mental Component Score (SF-12 MCS).

METHODS

Patients who underwent single-level/multilevel MIS-LD were included. PROMs were administered preoperatively and 6 weeks/12 weeks/6 months/1 year postoperatively. Patients were grouped by preoperative SF-12 MCS. Demographic/perioperative characteristics were compared among groups using a χ² and Student t test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Mean PROM and postoperative satisfaction scores were compared using an unpaired Student t test. PROM improvement within cohorts was assessed with paired-samples t test. MCID achievement rates were compared using χ² analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 297 patients were included: 111 patients in SF-12 MCS <48.9 and 186 patients in the SF-12 MCS ≥48.9 cohort. Cohorts showed mean postoperative differences for visual analog scale (VAS) back score at 12 weeks, VAS leg score at 6 weeks/12 weeks, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 6 weeks/12 weeks, SF-12 MCS at all postoperative time points, and 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Score at 6 weeks/12 weeks (P < 0.022, all). Of patients in the SF-12 MCS <48.9 cohort, more achieved MCID for SF-12 MCS at all postoperative time points and ODI at 1 year (P < 0.023, all). More patients in the SF-12 MCS ≥48.9 cohort achieved MCID for VAS leg score at 12 weeks and 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Score at 6 weeks (P < 0.038). Patients in the SF-12 MCS <48.9 cohort showed inferior postoperative satisfaction for VAS leg score at 6 weeks/12 weeks/1 year, VAS back score at 12 weeks, and ODI at all postoperative time points.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with inferior mental health preoperatively showed worse mean short-term postoperative clinical outcome for leg/back pain, physical function and disability, short-term and long-term postoperative satisfaction for leg pain and disability, and long-term satisfaction for sleeping/lifting/walking/standing/sex/travel.

The prevalence of depression in degenerative spine disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To estimate the prevalence of depression in degenerative spine disease (DSD) patients.

METHODS

The PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were systematically searched, the relevant studies that reported the depression prevalence of in DSD patients were identified. Data were extracted independently by 2 reviewers. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed.

RESULTS

24 articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the current study. The pooled prevalence estimate of depression in DSD patients before operative treatment was 30.8% [95% CI 24.0-38.5%]. Nine articles reported the prevalence rate in DSD patients after operative treatment, and the pooled prevalence estimate was 27.0% [95% CI 19.9-35.4%]. There were significant differences for prevalence estimates before operative treatment in types of disorders (Q = 4.56, P = 0.10), spine surgery history (Q = 5.55, P = 0.02), representativeness of sample (Q = 11.00, P = 0.00), and validity of assessment method (Q = 3.32, P = 0.07). The prevalence estimates in patients with lumbar spine stenosis, lumbar disc herniation and cervical spondylotic myelopathy were 24.0%, 40.9% and 37.3%, respectively. Studies that included patients with a history of spine surgery yielded a more extreme prevalence estimate than studies excluding those (36.9% vs 24.3%). For results of patients after operative treatment, significant differences for prevalence estimates were showed in different degrees of pain (Q = 4.72, P = 0.03), screening instruments (Q = 4.83, P = 0.09), and representativeness of sample (Q = 15.70, P = 0.00).

CONCLUSION

The systematic review indicated increased prevalence of depression in DSD patients. In consideration of the relationship between depression and poor surgical outcome, we should pay more attention to identifying strategies for preventing and treating depression in DSD patients.

Anxiety and depression in spine surgery-a systematic integrative review

BACKGROUND

Symptoms of preoperative anxiety and depression occur in approximately one-third of patients with chronic back pain undergoing surgery. In the last 2 decades, several studies have established that preoperative anxiety and depression are important outcome predictors of greater pain and physical impairments, and lower health-related quality of life in patients undergoing spine surgery. To accommodate symptoms of anxiety and depression and thereby better surgical outcomes, we need to identify factors associated with these symptoms.

PURPOSE

We aimed to identify factors associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults both before and after undergoing spinal surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

An integrative literature review was carried out.

METHODS

The independent charity Helsefonden supported this literature review by contributing $45,000 to remunerate a dedicated investigator. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science. A three-step selection and assessment process was conducted; titles and abstracts of 1,124 articles were skimmed for relevance and of these, 53 articles were found to be of relevance and were read in full. Articles not meeting the inclusion criteria (n=26) were excluded. The 31 articles were critically appraised for methodological validity; 14 of these were synthesized and analyzed using a convergent qualitative design to transform both qualitative and quantitative articles into qualitative findings.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included, reporting results based on 4,833 participants, 3,017 men and 1,816 women, whose mean age was approximately 49 years. From these results, we extracted 75 individual findings, which we then divided into five categories of factors associated with anxiety and depression both before and after undergoing spine surgery: pain, information, disability, employment, and mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

Five categories of interacting factors that influenced symptoms of anxiety and depression both before and after surgery were identified: pain, lack of information, disability, return to work, and mental health. Information appears to have a regulating effect on anxiety and depression.