How do information and physiotherapy affect health-related quality of life among patients with spinal stenosis undergoing decompression surgery: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of qualitative research on how patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) undergoing surgery perceive their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Research that increases our understanding in this area could facilitate a biopsychosocial approach to care. AIM: We aimed to investigate the experiences of patients with LSS undergoing decompression surgery regarding their pre- and post-surgery perceptions of HRQOL and the pre-and post-operative information and physiotherapy. METHOD: We used a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews to perform content analysis using an inductive approach. Twelve patients (7 female, 5 male) were included post-surgery and interviewed by phone. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: Four distinct categories with nine associated subcategories were identified: Patients' feelings of safety and empowerment are enhanced by healthcare professionals; Divided perceptions of information and physiotherapy in a group context; Health-related quality of life is associated with patients' perceived physical capacity; Patients' optimism and concerns influence health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: Both physical and psychological factors pre- and post-surgery appear to influence patients' HRQOL. Inherent optimism and feelings of empowerment in the care process appear to be important factors, regardless of physical health status. A strong patient-provider relationship is important to promote self-efficacy, which may positively affect perceived HRQOL and is in line with the generally recommended biopsychosocial approach in the treatment of people with low back pain. As qualitative studies in this area are scarce, there is a need for further studies to validate our findings.

Patient Mindset and the Success of Carpal Tunnel Release.

BACKGROUND: Depression and pain catastrophizing are aspects of the patient's mindset that have been shown to be important in relation to the outcome of carpal tunnel release. However, other factors of the patient's mindset have been understudied, such as treatment expectations and illness perceptions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of these mindset aspects on outcome of carpal tunnel release, in addition to psychological distress and pain catastrophizing. METHODS: A total of 307 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who visited outpatient hand surgery clinics and who completed online questionnaires regarding demographic and psychosocial characteristics and carpal tunnel syndrome severity were included. The patient mindset was measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Credibility Expectancy Questionnaire, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to examine the relation between self-reported severity 6 months after carpal tunnel release, as measured with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, and psychosocial aspects of mindset, adjusting for preoperative Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire score, patient characteristics, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Independent associations with better self-reported outcome were found for higher treatment expectations (ß = -0.202; p < 0.001) and illness comprehensibility (ß = -0.223; p < 0.001). The additional explained variance in Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire scores by the patient's mindset was 13.2 percent (psychological distress and pain catastrophizing together, 2.1 percent; treatment expectations and illness perceptions together, 11.1 percent). CONCLUSION: Treatment outcome expectations and comprehensibility of illness are both independently associated with the outcome of carpal tunnel release, showing the importance of these aspects of the patient's mindset for the outcome of carpal tunnel release. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Patient-reported Quality of Life Following Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion or Indirect Decompression Using Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QOL) outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) using reports from patients obtained at the 2-year postoperative follow-up. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Indirect decompression with LLIF is used to treat degenerative lumbar diseases that require neural decompression. However, the difference in improvement in QOL following indirect decompression compared with direct neural decompression using PLIF is unclear. METHODS: We enrolled 284 consecutive patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in the present study, 203 who underwent PLIF and 81 who underwent LLIF. All patients completed a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. We evaluated the effectiveness of surgery in each category of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). RESULTS: The results of preoperative JOABPEQ and the severity of thecal sac stenosis were not significantly different between PLIF and LLIF, neither was the rate of perioperative complications (14.8% and 15.4% for the PLIF and LLIF groups, respectively; P = 0.91). The effectiveness at 2 years postoperatively was almost the same for all five domains of the JOABPEQ: 62.6% and 68.9% for pain-related disorders (P = 0.34), 38.3% and 42.7% for lumbar spine dysfunction (P = 0.51), 65.8% and 67.5% for gait disturbance (P = 0.79), 53.5% and 48.8% for social life dysfunction (P = 0.47), and 29.1% and 33.3% for psychological disorders (P = 0.48) following PLIF and LLIF, respectively. Visual analogue scale results for back and lower-limb pain and numbness of the lower limbs were almost the same for both groups. No significant differences were observed in terms of perioperative complications and radiographical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Indirect decompression using LLIF improves QOL and radiographical outcomes to a comparable degree as direct decompression via PLIF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Pooling and patient satisfaction in non-instrumented lumbar decompressive surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of pooling of patients for elective non-instrumented lumbar decompression on patient satisfaction and waiting times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of Spine Tango and Theatre Databases of our Neurosurgical unit for patients who underwent elective primary non-instrumented lumbar decompression between January 2012 and 2016. Patient satisfaction scores at 3 and 12 months post-surgery were collected from the Spine Tango Registry, and patients categorised as pooled/non-pooled by searching theatre databases to determine their named listing and operating consultants. Results were analysed numerically and by performing chi-squared testing to determine if pooling affected patient satisfaction. Theatre records were analysed between January 2004-2006, January 2009-2011 and 2014-2016 to determine what effect implementation of the 18-week wait target system (2009) and of our pooled system (2012) had on waiting times to operation for patients undergoing elective primary non-instrumented lumbar decompression. RESULTS: There is no significant difference in patient satisfaction levels between pooled and non-pooled patients at 3 (p = .052) and 12 months (p = .5) post primary elective lumbar decompression (significance p < .05). There was no difference in average waiting time between the pooled and non-pooled groups. Both setting of 18-week targets and pooling improved waiting times. Setting of 18-week targets affected average waiting times markedly while pooling most notably reduced the variability in waiting times between patients for the same procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Pooling of patients for elective non-instrumented lumbar decompression in our unit has improved waiting times, particularly the variability in them, with no detriment to patient satisfaction. We would recommend other units to consider developing a system of pooling such as ours, to help maximise use of their current resources and avoid highly variable waiting times for patients for the same procedure within the same department.

Quality of Life After Combined Endonasal Endoscopic Odontoidectomy and Posterior Suboccipital Decompression and Fusion.

BACKGROUND: Basilar invagination can result from systemic diseases that can weaken structural integrity of the craniocervical junction. Definitive treatment often requires ventral decompression and posterior decompression and fusion. Endonasal odontoidectomy is a relatively new minimal access procedure; quality of life (QOL) after this procedure has not been reported. METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive database of endonasal odontoidectomy cases and identified patients having posterior decompression and fusion. Two QOL questionnaires were administered postoperatively: Sino-Nasal Outcome Test and 36-Item Short Form Survey. Comparisons with other endonasal or Chiari procedures were performed. RESULTS: The study comprised 14 patients; 79% had Chiari malformation in addition to basilar invagination. Mean follow-up was 17.2 months. Symptomatic improvement occurred in 78.6% after surgery. Average postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test scores were 39.2 ± 17.93, with worst scores in areas related to fatigue and sleep patterns but not nasal function. 36-Item Short Form Survey scores were lower in areas of physical function and general health but better for emotional health and pain. Compared with patients undergoing Chiari malformation surgery without endonasal odontoid resection or fusion, patients undergoing odontoidectomy had higher QOL in areas of role emotional, emotional well-being, and pain but worse QOL in general health and role physical. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing posterior decompression and fusion with endonasal odontoidectomy do well after surgery with respect to nasal function and emotional health. Patients who also have severe basilar invagination associated with systemic diseases demonstrate reduced QOL after surgery in areas of physical function and sleep leading to fatigue, irritability, and concentration difficulty, likely related to their systemic disease.

Physician awareness of decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the perspective on Decompressive craniectomy (DH) of each of these specialties to establish common grounds for improved clinical practice. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed via email and social media groups to members of these specialties in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. Local practices, common triggers for referral for DH, perceived outcomes of these procedures, individual impression of what constitutes good clinical outcomes were explored. RESULTS: There are 89 physicians participated: 41 (46.1%) neurologists, 34 (38.2%) neurosurgeons, and 14 (15.7%) intensivests. Participants are mostly practicing in intermediate volume centers or high volume centers. Half of the neurosurgeons preferred to be consulted immediately on candidates with large middle cerebral artery (MCA) strokes. The most important referral trigger for DH was clinical changes. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) cutoff for good clinical outcome was 3 for 73.6% of respondents. There was agreement that DH only improves survival (64.4%). A third of the neurologists considered it to improve functional outcome compared to 15.4% of intensivests and 14.8% of neurosurgeons. There was agreement (66.7%) that patients older than 60 years with involvement of more than one territory should be excluded from DH. Only 7.7% of neurosurgeons excluded patients with dominant hemispheric strokes. CONCLUSION: Our physicians` views are variable in what`s called acceptable outcome, and further studies are needed to to test the characteristics that helps in decision making such as hemisphere dominancy, time onset of stroke and vital radiological signs. This is seen despite the literature being full of data that supports the DC over medical management in malignant MCA infarction. Better multidisciplinary education initiatives are needed to unify the understanding and help improve the practices in this challenging subset of patients.

Psychological Factors and Outcomes in the Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Patients With Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a frequently overlooked cause of chronic abdominal pain (CAP), and results in many symptoms that mimic other gastrointestinal conditions that result in CAP. A small, but growing body of literature indicates that surgery improves quality of life (QOL) in patients with MALS. The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychological characteristics of pediatric patients with MALS to determine their prevalence and impact on surgical outcomes. METHODS: Thirty-two pediatric patients completed psychological assessments before surgery, and 6 months postsurgical intervention. Descriptive analyses and t tests were conducted to characterize the sample and compare psychosocial and QOL items. To explore possible associations between coping and ultimate changes in QOL, exploratory multiple regressions were conducted. RESULTS: Comorbid psychological conditions were common, occurring in about half the sample before and after surgery. Current pain significantly improved, as well as patient and parent-reported QOL constructs (Ps < 0.05). Parent-reported observations of patients using catastrophizing or helpless strategies to cope with pain before surgery was significantly associated with changes in patient and parent-reported QOL following surgery (Ps = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid psychological conditions are common in pediatric patients with MALS, and are maintained following surgery. While surgery improved pain and QOL, the need for presurgical psychological interventions for MALS is implicated.

Influence of Lumbar Lordosis on the Outcome of Decompression Surgery for Lumbar Canal Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Although sagittal spinal balance plays an important role in spinal deformity surgery, its role in decompression surgery for lumbar canal stenosis is not well understood. To investigate the hypothesis that sagittal spinal balance also plays a role in decompression surgery for lumbar canal stenosis, a prospective cohort study analyzing the correlation between preoperative lumbar lordosis and outcome was performed. METHODS: A cohort of 85 consecutive patients who underwent decompression for lumbar canal stenosis during the period 2007-2011 was analyzed. Standing lumbar x-rays and 36-item short form health survey questionnaires were obtained before and up to 2 years after surgery. Correlations between lumbar lordosis and 2 parameters of the 36-item short form health survey (average physical score and bodily pain score) were statistically analyzed using linear mixed effects models. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between preoperative lumbar lordosis and the 2 outcome parameters at postoperative, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year time points. A 10° increase of lumbar lordosis was associated with a 5-point improvement in average physical scores. This correlation was not present in preoperative scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that preoperative lumbar lordosis significantly influences the outcome of decompression surgery on lumbar canal stenosis.

[Etiological analysis, preventional and therapeutical strategies for the unsatisfied cervical posterior decompression surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the causes of unsatisfied cervical posterior decompression surgery and describe the overhauling strategies and precaution. METHODS: The clinical data of 14 patients required revision surgery were retrospectively analyzed, and these patients with unsatisfied effects were due to cervical posterior decompression surgery from January 2012 to December 2014. Overhauling reasons were analyzed and then different revision procedures were performed. The functions of cervical cord and ambulation were evaluated respectively by modified Japanese Orthopedic Association(mJOA) score and Nurick grade according to the course order:preoperative for the first time, pre-revision and at final follow-up. Improvement rate of nerves function were calculated before and after operation for the first time, before and after revision. Above data were statistically analyzed by SPSS16.0 software. RESULTS: Reoperation reasons including 2 patients with the insufficiency width of laminectomy, 2 patients with the inadequate length of decompression, 2 patients with nerve root and spinal cord compression caused by fractured collapse, 4 patients with closed the door of vertebral lamina, 1 patient with less open-door angle, 2 patiens with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (1 case complicated with close the door), 2 patients with cervical spine kyphotic deformity aggravating (1 case complicated with close the door), 1 patient with nerve root canal stenosis caused by uncovertebral joint hyperplasia. Preoperative for the first time, pre-revision and at final follow-up, mJOA scores were 11.89±1.67, 13.11±1.09, 15.61±0.59, and Nurick grades were 4.21±0.58, 3.57±0.51, 1.71±0.47, respectively. There was significant difference between final follow-up and preoperative for the first time, pre-revision(P<0.05). Improvement rate of nerve function was (22.33±9.49)% with bad before and after operation for the first time, and (64.60±9.88)% with good before and after revision, with statistical significance(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individualized revision surgery based on different causes for unsatisfied cervical posterior decompression can improve the function of spinal cord. Preoperative carefully analyzing the etiological factors, thoroughly decompression can reduce the revision rate.

Low sense of coherence during postoperative recovery is associated with a poorer lumbar spinal stenosis - surgical outcome: A 5-year follow-up study.

This study investigated the association between the 3-month postoperative sense of coherence and the 5-year postoperative outcome of decompressive surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. The participants with a lower sense of coherence at the 3-month follow-up had a poorer functional ability and lower satisfaction with surgery, higher pain ratings, lower life satisfaction and more depressive symptoms 5 years postoperatively. A low 3-month sense of coherence associated with greater pain and a poorer functional ability 5 years postoperatively. Evaluating sense of coherence and depressive symptoms in patients who have had lumbar spinal stenosis surgery may help in identifying those in need of enhanced support for postoperative recovery.

The association between preoperative mental distress and patient-reported outcome measures in patients treated surgically for cervical radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Previous research indicates that there might exist a link between the experience of pain and mental distress. Pain can possibly trigger anxiety and chronic pain, as well as also depression. On the other hand, anxiety and depression might also be risk factors for painful conditions and more pronounced subsequent disability and thus, the pathways may be bidirectional. Expanded knowledge of how different factors affect pain and function may help surgeons in preoperative decision-making. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of potential preoperative risk factors with special reference to mental distress. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a prospective outcome study in a cohort from a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing anterior cervical decompression and fusion with disc replacement. PATIENT SAMPLE: The sample included 151 patients with cervical radiculopathy planned for surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical outcome was evaluated with Neck Disability Index (NDI), health related quality-of-life with European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, and pain with visual analogue scale for arm and neck. Mental distress was preoperatively measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. METHODS: Preoperative data regarding possible risk factors for poor outcome were analyzed in multiple linear regression models with postoperative NDI and change of NDI as dependent factors. Patients with high preoperative levels of anxiety or depression (H-HAD), indicating mental distress, were compared with patients scoring low/moderate levels (L-HAD) regarding patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) preoperatively and at 1- and 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Outcome data were available for 136 patients at the 2-year follow-up. No statistically significant difference in any outcome data could be demonstrated between the two surgical treatment groups. Mental distress was the variable most strongly associated with NDI at 2 years in the regression analysis. There were 42 patients classified as H-HAD and 94 as L-HAD. The average improvement in NDI was 16.9 in the H-HAD group and 26.3 in the L-HAD group, p=.02. The H-HAD patients showed a tendency for poorer baseline data and worse outcome overall in all PROMs at follow-up at both 1 and 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative mental distress measured with HAD was associated with worse outcome overall. More research is needed to investigate whether patients with mental distress may achieve better results if other treatments are offered, either as non-surgical treatment alone or as an adjunct to surgery.

Life dissatisfaction is associated with depression and poorer surgical outcomes among lumbar spinal stenosis patients: a 10-year follow-up study.

Life satisfaction is associated with overall somatic health and the short-term surgical outcome in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients. In this study, the long-term relationship between life satisfaction and the surgical outcome in LSS patients was investigated in a 10-year follow-up. This prospective clinical study included 102 LSS patients who underwent decompressive surgery. They completed a set of questionnaires first preoperatively and then 6 times postoperatively (at 3 and 6 months, and at 1, 2, 5 and 10 years). The final study population at the 10-year follow-up comprised 72 patients. A four-item life satisfaction scale was used to measure global life satisfaction. The sum of all seven life satisfaction scores provided a measure of the life dissatisfaction burden over the entire 10-year follow-up. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory. The surgical outcome was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index, pain evaluation (visual analogue scale), self-reported walking capacity and overall satisfaction with the surgery. Both preoperative life dissatisfaction and the long-term life dissatisfaction burden were associated with poorer 10-year surgical outcomes (i.e. Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale) in logistic regression analyses. Life dissatisfaction was also associated with symptoms of depression. Monitoring subjective well-being, especially life satisfaction and mood, in LSS patients before and after surgery may help in detecting those at risk of a poorer long-term surgical outcome.

Anxiety's Impact on Length of Stay Following Lumbar Spinal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Despite some evidence that anxiety may affect length of stay (LOS), relatively little inquiry exists regarding this in neurosurgical literature. OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of anxiety on LOS after elective lumbar decompression and fusion (LDF) surgery. METHODS: The medical records of 307 patients who consecutively underwent elective LDF surgery from October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Each patient's medications and comorbidities were determined using the medical history. The impact of their medications on LOS was studied using multivariate analysis. Linear regression was also used to assess the relationship between anxiolytic use and LOS. An independent sample t test was used to compare the mean LOS of the group of patients receiving muscle relaxants with that of the group who were not. RESULTS: Those with a diagnosis of anxiety who were taking anxiolytics (n = 32) stayed 1.8 days longer than those with no diagnosis of anxiety and who were not taking anxiolytics (n = 224) after LDF surgery (p = 0.003). Those with a diagnosis of anxiety who were taking anxiolytics (n = 32) stayed 1.9 days longer than those with no diagnosis of anxiety and who were taking anxiolytics (n = 24) after LDF surgery (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that those with a diagnosis of anxiety who take medications for that condition have a longer LOS than those with no diagnosis of anxiety and who are not medicated for the condition. This could be because these patients are more vulnerable to states of anxiety when required to be nil per os for 12 hours before surgery.

Change in quality of life, disability, and well-being after decompressive surgery: results from a longitudinal study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate quality of life (QoL), disability, and psychological well-being (PWB) in patients with disc herniation and stenosis before and after decompressive surgery and to investigate factors associated with an improvement in the postoperative disability level. An observational longitudinal study was carried out to collect preoperative and postoperative data on QoL, disability, and PWB using European Health Interview Survey-Quality of Life (EUROHIS-QoL), WHO Disability Assessment Schedule, second version (WHODAS-II), and Psychological General Well-Being Index-Short (PGWB-S) questionnaires. Friedman's analysis of variance was performed to compare preoperative and postoperative test scores, whereas a one-sample t-test was calculated to compare the mean test scores with the general population. A hierarchical logistic regression was developed to investigate the association between the change in the disability level after surgery, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and preoperative test scores. Complete data were available for 55 patients. PGWB-S and WHODAS-II scores improved significantly (P=0.004 and 0.003), even if the disability level remained high after surgery. The logistic regression showed that patients with worse preoperative WHODAS-II scores had higher odds achieving improvement in their disability level after surgery. This study showed that disability and PWB improve significantly after surgery, but further treatment and a healthy lifestyle are expected and recommended as the disability level remains high. In addition, more severe preoperative disability was a predictor of better clinical outcome.

The effect of lower extremity nerve decompression on health-related quality of life and perception of pain in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy: a prospective randomized trial.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess whether surgical decompression of nerves in the lower extremity in people with painful diabetic polyneuropathy would have an effect on health-related quality of life and to determine minimal clinically important differences in pain and quality of life scores. METHODS: The design was a randomized controlled trial in which 42 participants with painful diabetic painful neuroapthy underwent unilateral decompression of nerves in their left or right leg, using the other leg as a control, with 12 months follow-up. Surgical decompression was performed at the tibial, superficial, deep and common peroneal nerves. Preoperatively, and at 6 and 12 months post operatively, a visual analogue scale for pain and the 36 item short-form health survey and EuroQual 5 Dimensions questionnaires were completed. RESULTS: At 12 months follow-up, the visual analogue scale was significantly reduced, but decompression surgery did not significantly alter health-related quality of life scores. The minimal clinically important difference for visual analogue scale reduction was determined at 2.9 points decrease, a threshold reached by 42.5% of the study population. CONCLUSIONS: Although decompression surgery does not influence health-related quality of life, it achieves a clinically relevant reduction of pain in ~42.5% of people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It can therefore be considered for patients who do not adequately respond to pain medication.

Influence of depression symptoms on patient expectations and clinical outcomes in the surgical management of spinal stenosis.

OBJECT: This prospective cohort study was designed to determine the influence of depressive symptoms on patient expectations and the clinical outcomes of the surgical management of lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: Patients with an age > 45 years, a diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis at one level, and an indication for decompressive surgery were included in this study. Data for all of the following parameters were recorded: age, sex, highest level of education, and employment status. Depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), disability (Oswestry Disability Index), and back and leg pain (visual analog scale) were assessed before surgery and at 12 months thereafter. The reasons for surgery and patient expectations (North American Spine Society lumbar spine questionnaire) were noted before surgery. The global effectiveness of surgery (Likert scale) was assessed at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were divided into two groups based on the presence (Group 1) or absence (Group 2) of depressive symptoms preoperatively; each group comprised 29 patients. Demographic data were similar in both groups before surgery. The main reason to undergo surgery was "fear of a worse situation" in 34% of the patients in Group 1 and "to reduce pain" in 24% of the patients in Group 2. The most prevalent expectation was to improve my social life and my mental health in both groups. Surgery had a relieving effect on the depressive symptoms in 14 patients (48%). Thus, in the postoperative period, the number of patients who were free of depressive symptoms was 43 compared with the 15 who were depressed (p = 0.001). The 15 patients with persistent depression symptoms after surgery had a worse clinical outcome compared with the 43 patients free of depression symptoms at the 1-year follow-up in terms of severe back pain (20% vs. 0%, respectively), severe leg pain (40% vs. 2.3%, respectively), and severe disability (53% vs. 9.3%, respectively). Only 33% of patients with persistent depression symptoms after surgery chose the option "surgery helped a lot" compared with 76% of patients without depression symptoms. Moreover, in terms of expectations regarding improvement in back pain, leg pain, walking capacity, independence, physical duties, and social activities, fewer patients were "completely satisfied" in the group with persistent depression symptoms after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for spinal stenosis had a relieving effect on preoperative depression symptoms at the 1-year follow-up. The persistence of depressive symptoms after surgery correlated with a worse clinical outcome and a higher rate of unmet expectations. Screening measures to detect and treat depression symptoms in the perioperative period could lead to better clinical results and increased patient satisfaction.

The impact of preoperative depression on quality of life outcomes after lumbar surgery.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Some, smaller studies have investigated the effect of preoperative depression on postoperative improvement in quality of life (QOL). However, they have not used the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) in self-reported depression. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of preoperative depression as measured by the PHQ-9 on postoperative improvement in QOL. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review at a single tertiary-care referral center. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients who underwent lumbar decompression or fusion between 2008 and 2012. OUTCOMES MEASURES: A self-reported EuroQol five-dimensions (EQ-5D) quality-adjusted life-years Index. METHODS: Quality of life data were collected using the institutional prospectively collected database of patient-reported health status measures. The EQ-5D questionnare, PDQ, and PHQ-9 were used. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of preoperative depression on QOL improvement. RESULTS: Elevated preoperative pain (PDQ, ß=-0.0017, p=.0009) and worsened depression (PHQ-9, ß=-0.0044, p=.0359) were significantly associated with diminished postoperative improvement in QOL, as measured by the EQ-5D. Furthermore, greater depression (PHQ-9, odds ratio [OR] 0.93, p<.0001) and pain (PDQ, OR 0.99, p=.02) were associated with significantly diminished postoperative improvement exceeding the minimum clinically important difference. CONCLUSIONS: Increased preoperative pain and depression were shown to be associated with significantly reduced improvement in postoperative QOL, as measured by the EQ-5D.

Psychosocial factors and surgical outcomes: are elderly depressed patients less satisfied with surgery?

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we set out to assess the effect of preoperative depression on patient satisfaction after revision lumbar surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patient satisfaction ratings are increasingly being used in health care as a proxy for quality of care. In the elderly, affective disorders such as depression have been shown to influence patient-reported outcomes and self-interpretation of health status. METHODS: A total of 69 patients aged 65 years or older undergoing revision neural decompression and instrumented fusion for same-level recurrent stenosis-associated back and leg pain were included in this study. Preoperative Zung self-rating depression score, comorbidities, and postoperative satisfaction with surgical care and outcome were assessed for all patients. Baseline and 2-year visual analogue scale (VAS)-leg pain, VAS-back pain, Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-12 physical component score and Short Form-12 mental component score, as well as health-state utility (EuroQol 5D) were assessed. Factors associated with patient satisfaction after surgical procedures were assessed via multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, there was a statistically significant improvement in VAS-back pain 2.76±2.73 (pseudarthrosis [1.94±2.81], adjacent segment disease [4.35±3.16]), same-level recurrent stenosis [2±2.23]), VAS-leg pain 2.66±4.12, (adjacent segment disease [2.24±4.46] and same-level recurrent stenosis [3±3.78]). Two-year Oswestry Disability Index improved after surgery for pseudarthrosis (4.05±7.65), adjacent segment disease (6±13.63) and same-level recurrent stenosis (4.54±5.97). In a multivariate logistical regression model, increasing preoperative Zung self-rating depression scale scores were independently associated with patient dissatisfaction 2 years after revision lumbar surgery, (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that independent of surgical effectiveness, baseline depression influence patient satisfaction with health care, 2 years after revision lumbar surgery. Quality improvement initiatives using patient satisfaction as a proxy for quality of care should account for patients' baseline depression as a potential confounder especially in this age group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Depressive burden is associated with a poorer surgical outcome among lumbar spinal stenosis patients: a 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), conservative treatment is usually the first choice of treatment. If conservative treatment fails, surgery is indicated. Psychological factors such as depression and anxiety are known to affect the outcome of surgery. Previous studies on depression and surgery outcome using long follow-up times are scarce. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of depressive symptoms on the surgical outcome during a 5-year follow-up among patients with LSS. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patient sample included 102 LSS patients who needed surgical treatment. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome of surgery was evaluated with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale pain assessment, and self-reported walking capacity. METHODS: The patients completed a set of questionnaires preoperatively and 3 and 6 months, as well as 1, 2, and 5 years after the surgery. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory. The depressive burden was estimated by summing all individual Beck Depression Inventory scores. Statistical analyses included cross-sectional group comparisons and linear regression analyses. No conflicts of interest. RESULTS: On 5-year follow-up, a high depressive burden associated with a poorer outcome of surgery when assessed with the ODI. In linear regression analysis, a high depressive burden associated with higher ODI score. CONCLUSIONS: Even slightly elevated long-term depressive symptoms in LSS patients are associated with an increased risk of a poorer functional ability after decompressive surgery.

Life dissatisfaction burden is associated with a poor surgical outcome among lumbar spinal stenosis patients: a 5-year follow-up study.

Dissatisfaction with life has been found to be associated with somatic health and the short-term surgery outcome in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients. This study investigated the effects of the long-term life dissatisfaction burden on the surgery outcome in LSS patients with a 5-year follow-up. This was a prospective clinical study. Altogether, 102 patients who underwent decompressive surgery completed a set of questionnaires preoperatively, 3 and 6 months, and 1, 2 and 5 years after the surgery. The final study population at the 5-year follow-up included 67 patients. The mean age of the patients was 67 years and 35% of the patients were men. Life satisfaction was evaluated using a four-item Life Satisfaction Scale. The life dissatisfaction burden was the sum of all six life satisfaction scores recorded during the follow-up. The outcome of surgery was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), pain evaluation (Visual Analogue Scale; VAS), overall satisfaction with the surgery and self-reported walking capacity. In linear regression, the long-term life dissatisfaction burden was associated with the 5-year ODI, even after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, preoperative ODI and the 5-year VAS. It was not associated with the 5-year VAS score. Monitoring the life satisfaction of surgically treated LSS patients may enable detection of those at risk of a poorer surgery outcome.