Is Type of Compensation a Predictor of Outcome After Lumbar Fusion?

• DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e318278ebe8
• Publication Date: 2012-10-18T19:09:39Z
• Authors: Jeffrey L. Gum; Steven D. Glassman; Leah Y. Carreon
• Keywords: Oswestry Disability Index; Workers' compensation

In Brief Study Design. Propensity-matched case-control study. Objective. To examine the impact of compensation status on clinical outcomes after lumbar spine fusion. Summary Background Data. Workers' has been associated with inferior treatment low back pain. However, patients receiving other forms compensation, such as long-term disability or government-supported insurance, have not studied independently. Methods. Patients complete preoperative and 2-year postoperative data, including Oswestry Disability Index, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, numeric rating scales for leg pain, 1- 2-level posterolateral fusion from a single surgery practice, were retrospectively identified. Fifty-nine 50 years younger 38 workers' identified 1144 outcome measures. Propensity scoring was used to match cohorts compensation. Each group matched sex, age, smoking status, body mass index, surgical indication, number levels fused, baseline Fifty-one 37 pairs successfully cohorts, respectively. Results. Consistent propensity matching, no statistically significant difference between observed demographics At follow-up, demonstrated similar degrees improvement all measures compared its nondisability cohort, whereas less than cohort. Conclusion. This study demonstrates in spinal populations. Although, these populations achieve only marginal improvement, it seems that type influences outcome. clear, negative influence when controls, well-selected seem more likely benefit Therefore, surgeons researchers alike should include same cohort disability-type worker's are perceived worse Although outcome, achieving outcomes.