SRS-22r legacy scores can be accurately translated to PROMIS scores in adult spinal deformity patients

BACKGROUND CONTEXTPatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) facilitates comparisons of treatment effectiveness across populations and diseases. In adult spinal deformity (ASD), the disease-specific Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) tool assesses outcomes. Existing data must be translated to PROMIS to make comparisons.PURPOSETo develop and validate a method to translate SRS-22r scores to PROMIS scores in surgical ASD patients.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.PATIENT SAMPLEA total of 158 ASD surgery patients from an ongoing registry of patients who underwent spine surgery at a tertiary care center from 2015 to 2017 were included.OUTCOME MEASURESPROMIS and SRS-22r questionnaires were completed at 387 visits (150 preoperative [derivation sample]; 237 postoperative [validation sample]).METHODSUsing the derivation sample, we modeled PROMIS domains as functions of age and SRS-22r domains using linear regression. The most parsimonious model was selected. In the validation cohort, we used the derived regression equations to estimate PROMIS scores from SRS-22r scores.RESULTSThe following significant associations were found (p<.001): PROMIS Pain Interference is dependent on age and SRS-22r Pain, Physical Function, and Patient Satisfaction; PROMIS Physical Function is dependent on age and SRS-22r Pain and Physical Function; PROMIS Anxiety is dependent on SRS-22r Mental Health; PROMIS Depression is dependent on age and SRS-22r Mental Health; and PROMIS Satisfaction with Social Roles is dependent on age and SRS-22r Pain, Physical Function (p=.011), Mental Health, and Patient Satisfaction. Correlations were strong to very strong between estimated and actual PROMIS scores in the validation cohort (p<.001): Pain Interference, r=0.78; Physical Function, r=0.66; Anxiety, r=0.83; Depression, r=0.80; and Satisfaction with Social Roles, r=0.71.CONCLUSIONSPROMIS scores estimated from SRS-22r scores using our model correlate strongly with actual PROMIS scores. SRS-22r scores may be translated to PROMIS scores in all evaluated domains for ASD patients. Orthopedic surgeons can use this method to compare legacy measures with PROMIS scores.     

DEXA sensitivity analysis in patients with adult spinal deformity

BACKGROUNDAdult spinal deformity (ASD) is a debilitating condition that commonly requires surgical intervention. However, ASD patients may also present with osteoporosis, predisposing them to surgical complications and failure of instrumentation. As a result, proper detection of low bone mineral density (BMD) is critical in order to ensure proper patient care. Typically dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans are performed on the hip and spine. Unfortunately, in ASD patients, the latter is often inaccuratePURPOSEIn this study, we consider the value of obtaining a forearm DEXA scan in addition to a hip scan in patients suffering from ASD and osteoporosis in order to accurately detect low BMD.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective study.PATIENT SAMPLEPatient data between 2016 and 2018 from a single academic medical center was utilized. Two hundred eighty-six patients met the initial search criteria.OUTCOME MEASURESNo outcomes measures related to self-reporting, physiology, or functionality were evaluated in this study. Primary outcome measures analyzed included T-scores across various anatomic locations and diagnoses relating to low bone density (ie, osteopenia and osteoporosis).METHODSThis retrospective study examines patients that underwent DEXA studies between 2016 and 2018 and were previously diagnosed with both osteoporosis and adult spinal deformity. For each patient, age, gender, body mass index, and smoking history were noted, as well as whether there was long-term prednisone use. T-scores from both the forearm and hip were recorded and analyzed. Diagnoses from hip DEXA scans were compared with those obtained from forearm scans to identify which region was more sensitive in detecting low BMD. From this data, the frequency of a missed diagnosis, due to reliance on hip or spine T-scores for detection of low BMD, was extrapolated. No external funding source was received in support of this study.RESULTSTwo hundred eighty-six patients matched the initial search criteria. Only 68% had one T-score value. However, 24.8% of patients had data for both the hip and forearm, whereas 7.1% had data for the forearm, hip, and spine. Among the 85 patients with more than one anatomical site of study, the forearm was more sensitive than the hip in its ability to detect osteopenia or osteoporosis 41.2% of the time. A two-tailed t test showed no statistically significant difference between hip T-scores and forearm T-scores. However, for more than 17% of patients, the forearm allowed clinicians to detect osteoporosis or osteopenia in a setting where using only the hip data would have missed such a diagnosis.CONCLUSIONSClinicians need to ensure they survey at least two locations when conducting DEXA studies before precluding a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. All ASD patients being evaluated for low bone density should receive DEXA scans that survey at least the hip and the forearm. Misdiagnoses can be costly in the setting of ASD. They occur frequently when only a single hip scan is relied upon to assess BMD.     

Defining a core outcome set for adolescent and young adult patients with a spinal deformity

Background and purpose — Routine outcome measurement has been shown to improve performance in several fields of healthcare. National spine surgery registries have been initiated in 5 Nordic countries. However, there is no agreement on which outcomes are essential to measure for adolescent and young adult patients with a spinal deformity. The aim of this study was to develop a core outcome set (COS) that will facilitate benchmarking within and between the 5 countries of the Nordic Spinal Deformity Society (NSDS) and other registries worldwide.

Material and methods — From August 2015 to September 2016, 7 representatives (panelists) of the national spinal surgery registries from each of the NSDS countries participated in a modified Delphi study. With a systematic literature review as a basis and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework as guidance, 4 consensus rounds were held. Consensus was defined as agreement between at least 5 of the 7 representatives. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results — Consensus was reached on the inclusion of 13 core outcome domains: “satisfaction with overall outcome of surgery”, “satisfaction with cosmetic result of surgery”, “pain interference”, physical functioning”, “health-related quality of life”, “recreation and leisure”, “pulmonary fatigue”, “change in deformity”, “self-image”, “pain intensity”, “physical function”, “complications”, and “re-operation”. Panelists agreed that the SRS-22r, EQ-5D, and a pulmonary fatigue questionnaire (yet to be developed) are the most appropriate set of patient-reported measurement instruments that cover these outcome domains.

Interpretation — We have identified a COS for a large subgroup of spinal deformity patients for implementation and validation in the NSDS countries. This is the first study to further develop a COS in a global perspective.     

Kickstand rods and correction of coronal malalignment in patients with adult spinal deformity

Purpose

Coronal malalignment (CM) is a challenging spinal deformity to treat. The kickstand rod (KR) technique is powerful for correcting truncal shift. This study tested the hypothesis that the KR technique provides superior coronal alignment correction in adult deformity compared with traditional rod techniques.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of a prospectively collected multicenter database was performed. A 2:1 matched cohort of non-KR accessory rod and KR patients was planned based on preoperative coronal balance distance (CBD) and a vector of global shift. Patients were subgrouped according to CM classification with a 30-mm CBD threshold defining CM, and comparisons of surgical and clinical outcomes among groups was performed.

Results

Twenty-one patients with preoperative CM treated with a KR were matched to 36 controls. KR-treated patients had improved CBD compared with controls (18 vs. 35 mm, P < 0.01). The postoperative CBD did not result in clinical differences between groups in patient-reported outcomes (P ≥ 0.09). Eight (38%) of 21 KR patients and 12 (33%) of 36 control patients with preoperative CM had persistent postoperative CM (P = 0.72). CM class did not significantly affect the likelihood of treatment failure (postoperative CBD > 30 mm) in the KR cohort (P = 0.70), the control cohort (P = 0.35), or the overall population (P = 0.31).

Conclusions

Application of the KR technique to coronal spinal deformity in adults allows for successful treatment of CM. Compared to traditional rod techniques, the use of KRs did not improve clinical outcome measures 1 year after spinal deformity surgery but was associated with better postoperative coronal alignment.

     

重视成人脊柱畸形矫形中脊柱-骨盆矢状面平衡的重建

成人脊柱畸形是指在骨骼发育成熟（年龄>20岁）后所产生的或源自成年前的脊柱畸形,包括成人特发性脊柱侧凸（idiopathic scoliosis, IS）、退变性脊柱侧凸（degenerative scoliosis, DS）、强直性脊柱炎后凸畸形、严重的平背综合征、后凸失代偿综合征及各种僵硬性矢状面失平衡等。     

Dysfunctional paraspinal muscles in adult spinal deformity patients lead to increased spinal loading

European Spine Journal - Decreased spinal extensor muscle strength in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients is well-known but poorly understood; thus, this study aimed to investigate the...     

A bibliometric analysis of patient-reported outcome measures in adult spinal deformity,and the future of patient-centric outcome assessments in the era of predictive analytics

Surgical treatment of adult spinal deformity (ASD) is associated with high resource utilization, high costs, and potential complications. In order to generate consensus for treatment paradigms and to demonstrate value, it is crucial to accurately assess clinical outcomes. Historically, objective assessments in ASD were performed by providers, and in recent decades the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become widely incorporated. Here, we report results of a bibliometric analysis of PROMs in ASD, synthesizing a global view of the topic and mapping trends in the field. In the modern era, enabling advancements in predictive modeling and machine learning, along with technology within smartphones and wearables, may supplement traditional patient-centric outcomes assessments and overcome some of their limitations.     

青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患者术后放射学参数和SRS-22评测结果的相关性研究

目的 探讨青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(AIS)术后患者放射学参数与SRS-22量表各维度得分的相关性.方法 95例术后患者(13男,82女)分为2组:胸弯组64例,胸腰弯/腰弯组31例,平均随访时问为2.8年.所有患者行脊柱全长正侧位检查,并填写一份SRS-22量表.在脊柱全长正侧位片上测量放射学参数,计算AIS患者放射学参数与SRS一22四个维度得分间的Spearman等级相关系数(rs).结果 脊柱力线偏移、胸椎后凸角和腰椎前凸角这三个参数与SRS-22各维度得分不存在相关性.胸腰弯/腰弯组的主侧凸残余Cobb角与SRS-22各维度得分同样不存在相关性.胸弯组主侧凸残余Cobb角与自我形象维度得分呈负相关(rs=-0.411,P=0.001).结论 主侧凸为胸弯的AIS术后患者残余Cobb角越大,其SRS-22量表自我形象维度的得分越低.应当尽可能多地矫正胸弯的畸形以改善患者的外观.     

Flexibility of thoracic kyphosis affects postoperative sagittal alignment in adult patients with spinal deformity

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery patients is a severe complication with potential need for revision surgery. While thoracic kyphosis (TK) is known to influence PJK, the role of TK flexibility is still unknown. We analyzed the influence of TK flexibility to predict postoperative sagittal alignment. Patients with ASD, ≥ 2-year follow-up, and upper-most instrumented vertebra (UIV) including and below T10 were included in this retrospective study. TK flexibility, defined as > 10° difference of the TK in standing and supine imaging, was analyzed. Patient characteristics like age, sex, weight, total hip arthroplasty, and sagittal alignment parameters were studied. Sixty-five patients aged 66 ± 8 years were included in the study. Lowest instrumented vertebra was S1 or the ilium in 85% of them; the number of levels being fused averaged 7. Flexible TK was present in 31% (n = 20). These patients had a larger preoperative TK (p < 0.01), but no PJK was found (p = 0.04). In contrast, patients who underwent revision surgery had a decreased TK flexibility (p = 0.04) and increased PJK angle at follow-up (p = 0.01). In the non-flexible patients, the PJK was found in 14% of patients. Based on our retrospective data, TK flexibility influences the outcome of ASD surgery. In patients demonstrating no TK flexibility, a more cephalad UIV-level should be considered because spontaneous curve correction in the sagittal plane might be low in these patients. This new parameter should be included in future prediction models. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.     

Complications and management in adult spinal deformity

Adult spinal deformity surgery has been shown to be an effective treatment that improves the quality of life for symptomatic patients who have failed nonoperative management. Its prevalence has increased due to an aging patient population with longer life expectancies. Despite surgical technique advancements, it has been associated with complications that negatively impact patient outcomes. This article examines the surgical and medical complications associated with adult spinal deformity surgery and discusses their risk assessment, prevention, and management techniques.     

Deformity correction techniques in adult spinal deformity

This review focuses on the surgical techniques that are used to effectively correct thoracolumbar adult spinal deformity. Preoperative considerations and planning for selecting the appropriate correction technique, level selection, patient positioning, open correction techniques, and minimally invasive correction maneuvers are discussed.     

Walking balance and compensatory gait mechanisms in surgically treated patients with adult spinal deformity

Background Context

Gait patterns and their relationship to demographic and radiographic data in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) have not been fully documented.

Improving outcomes in adult spinal deformity surgery

Proximal junctional kyphosis and failure are important complications in reconstructive spine surgery. The impact of proximal junctional pathology on health status is variable, and junctional failure may involve compromise of neural and physical function, and may require revision surgery. The risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis include multilevel fusion to the sacrum, malalignment of the spine, choice of upper instrumented vertebra, magnitude of realignment, bone and muscle quality, tension band integrity and characteristics of the unfused spine. The pathophysiology of proximal junctional pathology involve fracture and bony failure, ligamentous and soft tissue failure, and combined bone and soft tissue failure. Prevention of proximal junctional pathology is an important goal, and has a significant impact on improving the outcomes and durability of spinal reconstructive surgery. Prevention strategies are derived from an understanding of the underlying causes of junctional pathology. Preoperative planning to determine optimal post-operative alignment, and intraoperative strategies to achieve that alignment are important for prevention of junctional pathology. Preoperative preparation of the patient with optimization of bone quality, extensor muscle strength and body mass index may prevent junctional complications. Surgical strategies including anterior column load sharing and posterior augmentation of fixation are useful for prevention of junctional pathology. Cement augmentation at the upper instrumented vertebra, with possible inclusion of the next cephalad vertebra may be protective of bone failure. Ligamentoplasty and preservation of the tension band may be protective of soft tissue failure. Proximal junctional pathology remains an important complication in spinal reconstructive surgery. Understanding the factors associated with proximal junctional pathology including the mechanisms underlying junctional kyphosis, and awareness of the strategies for avoidance of junctional pathology will empower the surgeon to reduce the risk of post-operative junctional kyphosis and lead to improved outcomes in adult spinal deformity surgery.     

Peri-operative optimization in adult spinal deformity surgery

The population aged 65 and over is projected to double by the year 2050. As the population continues to age, the incidence of adult spinal deformity (ASD) will continue to rise. It is estimated that 30–50% of patients older than 65-years develop a degenerative scoliosis. Many of these patients have little to no symptoms as a result of their deformity and continue to lead active and healthy lives. A smaller subset of patients with degenerative scoliosis develops pain and disability as a result of their underlying deformity. The outcomes of surgery in this group are generally favorable but there is significant risk and potential morbidity associated with deformity correction surgery. The pre-operative planning and technical aspects of surgery are important but the peri-operative optimization of modifiable factors to minimize the risk of complications is even more important to achieve optimal outcomes. This paper will review the most up-to-date literature on the peri-operative optimization of patients undergoing adult spinal deformity surgery.     

Comparison of adult spinal deformity patients with and without rheumatoid arthritis undergoing primary non-cervical spinal fusion surgery: a nationwide analysis of 52,818 patients

Background Context

Numerous studies have analyzed the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the cervical spine and its related surgical interventions. However, there is a paucity of literature available conducting the same analyses in patients with non-cervical spine involvement.

成人脊柱侧凸分型方法与手术治疗策略

近年来,学者们通过应用影像学资料与(或)临床资料提出了多种用于规范成人脊柱畸形治疗策略的分型系统,旨在为更精确地比较不同类型成人脊柱畸形的治疗手段与临床疗效。本文通过回顾分析着重介绍几种成人脊柱侧凸分型系统,包括:成人退变性脊柱侧凸Faldni分型、SRS分型系统、Schwab分型、Scoliosis Research Society-Schwab分型系统,以及退变性腰椎侧凸的冠状面失衡分型等。以探讨不同分型方法对手术策略的指导价值,以及对存在的问题等进行全面概述。由于成人脊柱侧凸在影像学表现、临床症状表现、病理形态以及病理生理方面等关系较为复杂,因此制定出一种能够指导临床治疗的成人脊柱侧凸分型系统依然是脊柱外科领域的一大难题。