Browsing by Author "Baldus, Christine"

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    ItemOpen Access
    Changes in radiographic and clinical outcomes with primary treatment adult spinal deformity surgeries from two years to three- to five-years follow-up.
    (Spine, 2010-09) Bridwell, Keith H; Baldus, Christine; Berven, Sigurd; Edwards, Charles; Glassman, Steven; Hamill, Christopher; Horton, William; Lenke, Lawrence G; Ondra, Stephen; Schwab, Frank; Shaffrey, Christopher; Wootten, David

    Study design

    Retrospective analysis of data entered prospectively into a multicenter database-clinical and radiographic outcomes assessment.

    Objective

    Our hypothesis is that between the 2-year and the 3- to 5-year points surgically treated adult spinal deformity patients will show significant reduction in outcomes by Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and numerical rating scale back and leg pain scores and will show increasing thoracic kyphosis, loss of lumbar lordosis, and loss of coronal and sagittal balance.

    Summary of background data

    Most analyses of primary presentation adult spinal deformity surgery assess 2-year follow-up. However, it is established that in some patients unfavorable events occur between the 2-year and 5-year points.

    Methods

    The cohort of 113 patients entered into a multicenter database with complete preoperative, 2-year, and 3- to 5-year data. All patients who had adult spinal deformity and surgical treatment represented their first reconstruction. Diagnoses were scoliosis (82.5%), kyphosis (10%), and scoliosis and kyphosis combined (7.5%). Outcome measures and basic radiographic parameters (curve size, thoracic and lumbar sagittal plane, coronal and sagittal balance) were assessed at those 3 time intervals. Complications (pseudarthrosis/implant failure, infection, and junctional deformities) were assessed at the 2-year and the 3- to 5-year (mean, 3.76 years) points. RESULTS.: The mean major curve Cobb angle (preoperative, 57°; 2-year, 29°; 3-5 year, 26°); thoracic kyphosis T5 to T12 (30°, 31°, 32°) and lumbar lordosis T12 to sacrum (48°, 49°, 51°) did not change from the 2-year to ultimate follow-up. Likewise, coronal and sagittal balance parameters were the same at 2-year and ultimate follow-up. SRS total scores and modified ODI were similar at the 2 year and final follow-up (SRS: 3.89-3.88; ODI: 19-18). Preoperative SRS total score was 3.17. Six patients demonstrated complications at the 2-year point and additional 9 patients demonstrated complications at the 3- to 5-year point. Those 9 patients with complications at ultimate follow-up demonstrated significant deterioration in their ODI and SRS scores when compared with the patients who did not have complications at ultimate follow-up.

    Conclusion

    Contrary to our hypothesis, we could not establish deterioration in mean radiographic or clinical outcomes between the 2-year and 3- to 5-year follow-up points when analyzing the group as a whole. However, for the 9 patients who experienced complications between 3- and 5-year follow-up, their outcomes were significantly worse than for the other 104 patients.One should not anticipate an overall radiographic and clinical deterioration of the outcomes of surgically treated primary presentation adult spinal deformity patients in this studied time interval. However, close to 10% of patients will experience a new complication at the 3- to 5-year point, most commonly implant failure/nonunion and/or junctional kyphosis, which will negatively effect the patient-reported outcome.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Neurologic Deficits Have a Negative Impact on Patient-Related Outcomes in Primary Presentation Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis Surgical Treatment at One-Year Follow-up.
    (Spine, 2017-04) Kang, Daniel G; Baldus, Christine; Glassman, Steven D; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Lurie, Jon D; Bridwell, Keith H

    Study design

    A retrospective analysis of prospective, multicenter National Institute of Health clinical trial.

    Objective

    The aim of this study was to assess the rate of neurologic complications and impact of new neurologic deficits on 1-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

    Summary of background data

    There are limited studies evaluating the impact of new neurologic deficits on PROs following surgery for primary presentation adult lumbar scoliosis.

    Methods

    Patients were divided into two groups: new postoperative neurological deficit (Def) or no deficit (NoDef). Preoperative and 1-year follow-up PROs were analyzed [Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form-12 Physical/Mental Health Composite Scores (PCS/MCS), and back/leg pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)].

    Results

    One hundred forty-one patients: 14 Def (9.9%), 127 NoDef (90.1%). No differences were observed in demographic, radiographic, or PRO data between groups preoperatively. Def group had longer surgical procedures (8.3 vs. 6.9 hours, P = 0.030), greater blood loss (2832 vs. 2606 mL, P = 0.022), and longer hospitalizations (10.6 vs. 7.8 days, P = 0.004). NoDef group reported significant improvement in all PROs from preop to 1-year postoperative. Def group only had improvement in SRS Pain (2.7 preop to 3.4 postop, P = 0.037) and self-image domains (2.7 to 3.6, p = 0.004), and NRS back pain (6.6 to 3.2, P = 0.004) scores with significant worsening of NRS leg pain (4.1 to 6.1, P = 0.045). Group comparisons of 1-year postop PROs found that Def group reported more NRS leg pain (6.1 vs. 1.7, P < 0.001) and worse outcomes than NoDef group for ODI (35.7 vs. 23.1, P = 0.016) and PCS (32.6 vs. 41.9, P = 0.007).

    Conclusion

    We found a 9.9% rate of new neurologic deficits following surgery for symptomatic primary presentation adult lumbar scoliosis, much higher than previous studies. Most neurologic deficits improved by 1-year follow-up, but appeared to have a dramatic negative impact on PROs, with increased postoperative leg pain and greater patient-perceived pathology reported in patients experiencing neurological deficits compared with those who did not.

    Level of evidence

    3.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Patient Factors That Influence Decision Making: Randomization Versus Observational Nonoperative Versus Observational Operative Treatment for Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis.
    (Spine, 2016-03) Neuman, Brian J; Baldus, Christine; Zebala, Lukas P; Kelly, Michael P; Shaffrey, Christopher; Edwards, Charles; Koski, Tyler; Schwab, Frank; Glassman, Steven; Parent, Stefan; Lewis, Stephen; Lenke, Lawrence G; Buchowski, Jacob M; Smith, Justin S; Crawford, Charles H; Kim, Han Jo; Lafage, Virginia; Lurie, Jon; Carreon, Leah; Bridwell, Keith H

    Study design

    A prospective study with randomized and observational cohorts.

    Objective

    The aim of this study was to determine baseline variables affecting adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis (ASLS) decision making to participate in randomization (RAND), observational nonsurgical (OBS-NS), or observational surgical (OBS-S) cohorts.

    Summary of background data

    Multiple factors play a key role in a patient's decision to be randomized or to choose an OBS-NS or OBS-S course for ASLS. Studies evaluating these factors are limited.

    Methods

    Eligible candidates (patients with ASLS and no prior spinal fusion deformity surgery) from 9 centers participated in a RAND, OBS-NS, or OBS-S cohort study. Baseline variables (demographics, socioeconomics, patient-reported outcomes [PROs], Functional Treadmill Test, radiographs) were analyzed.

    Results

    Two hundred ninety-five patients were enrolled: 67 RAND, 115 OBS-NS, 113 OBS-S. Subanalysis of older patients (60-80 years) found 54% of OBS-NS had college degrees compared with 82% of RAND and 71% of OBS-S (P = 0.010). Patients deciding to be part of a RAND cohort have similar clinical characteristics to the OBS-S cohort. OBS-S had more symptomatic spinal stenosis (57% vs. 39%, P = 0.029) and worse scores than OBS-NS on the basis of PROs (Back Pain Numerical Rating Scale [NRS 6.3 vs. 5.5, P = 0.007]; Scoliosis Research Society [SRS] Pain [2.8 vs. 3.0, P = 0.018], Function [3.1 vs. 3.4, P = 0.019] and Self-Image [2.7 vs. 3.1, P = 0.002]; Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) [36.9 vs. 31.8, P = 0.029]; post-Treadmill back [5.8 vs. 4.4, P = 0.002] and leg [4.3 vs. 3.1, P = 0.037] pain NRS and larger lumbar coronal Cobb angles (56.5 degrees vs. 48.8 degrees, P < 0.001). RAND had more baseline motor deficits (10.4% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.036) and worse scores than OBS-NS on the basis of ODI (38.8 vs. 31.8, P = 0.006), SRS Function [3.1 vs. 3.4, P = 0.034], and Self-Image [2.7 vs. 3.1, P = 0.007].

    Conclusion

    Patients with worse PROs, more back pain, more back and leg pain with ambulation, and larger lumbar Cobb angles are more inclined to select surgical over nonsurgical management.
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    ItemOpen Access
    The Scoliosis Research Society Health-Related Quality of Life (SRS-30) age-gender normative data: an analysis of 1346 adult subjects unaffected by scoliosis.
    (Spine, 2011-06) Baldus, Christine; Bridwell, Keith; Harrast, John; Shaffrey, Christopher; Ondra, Stephen; Lenke, Lawrence; Schwab, Frank; Mardjetko, Steven; Glassman, Steven; Edwards, Charles; Lowe, Thomas; Horton, William; Polly, David

    Study design

    Prospective, cross-sectional study.

    Objective

    To determine Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-30 health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reference values by age and gender in an adult population unaffected by scoliosis thereby allowing clinicians and investigators to compare individual and/or groups of spinal deformity patients to their generational peers.

    Summary of background data

    Normative data are collected to establish means and standard deviations of health-related quality of life outcomes representative of a population. The SRS HRQOL questionnaire has become the standard for determining and comparing treatment outcomes in spinal deformity practices. With the establishment of adult SRS-30 HRQOL population values, clinicians, and investigators now have a reference for interpretation of individual scores and/or the scores of subgroups of adult patients with spinal deformities.

    Methods

    The SRS-30 HRQOL was issued prospectively to 1346 adult volunteers recruited from across the United States. Volunteers self-reported no history of scoliosis or prior spine surgery. Domain medians, means, confidence intervals, percentiles, and minimum/maximum values were calculated for six generational age-gender groups: male/female; 20-39, 40-59, and 60-80 years of age.

    Results

    Median and mean domain values ranged from 4.1 to 4.6 for all age-gender groups. The older the age-gender group, the lower (worse) the reported domain median and mean scores. The only exception was the mental health domain scores in the female groups which improved slightly. Males reported higher (better) scores than females but only the younger males were significantly higher in all domains than their female counterparts. In addition, all male groups reported higher Mental Health domain scores than their female counterparts (P=0.003).

    Conclusion

    This study reports population medians, means, standard deviations, percentiles, and confidence intervals for the domains of the SRS-30 HRQOL instrument. Clinicians must be mindful of age-gender differences when assessing deformity populations. Generational decreases noted in the older adult volunteer scores may provide a basis for future investigators to interpret observed score decreases in patient cohorts at long-term follow-up.