Outcome assessment in lumbar spine surgery: the patient's perspective

At present, there is an increasing interest in evaluating the outcome of lumbar spinal surgery from the patient's perspective. For this purpose, numerous self-report questionnaires for patients have been developed during last two decades. Recently, a core set of five domains has been recommended by an international panel of experts in order to assess patients with back pain: pain intensity and frequency, back specific function, general health status, work status and patient satisfaction. Also, several specific questionnaires to measure these domains, such as the Oswestry Disability Index, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, or the Short-Form 36, have been selected. In this paper, information about elementary features, properties and interpretation of these questionnaires, as well as recommendations of the international panel, are provided. Some adaptations to these statements for use in our country are suggested. In the discussion advantages, disadvantages and controversies related to the employment of questionnaires, and the need of further research on this field, are emphasized.