Age as a Predictor for Complications and Patient-reported Outcomes in Multilevel Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusions: Analyses From the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC).

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-15-2021

Publication Title

Spine

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a multi-institutional data registry.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine the association between age and complications & patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in patients undergoing multilevel transforaminal interbody lumbar fusion (MTLIF).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Elderly patients undergoing MTLIF are considered high risk. However, data on complications and PRO are lacking. Additionally, safety of multilevel lumbar fusion in the elderly remains uncertain.

METHODS: Patients ≥50-year-old who underwent MTLIF for degenerative lumbar spine conditions were analyzed. Ninety-day complications and PROs (baseline, 90-d, 1-y, 2-y) were queried using the MSSIC database. PROs were measured by back & leg visual analog scale (VAS), Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), and North American Spine Society (NASS) Patient Satisfaction Index. Univariate analyses were used to compare among elderly and complication cohorts. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to identify predictors of complications and PROs.

RESULTS: A total of 3120 patients analyzed with 961 (31%) ≥ 70-y-o and 2159 (69%) between 50-69. A higher proportion of elderly experienced postoperative complications (P = .003) including urinary retention (P =

CONCLUSIONS: Age was not associated with complications nor predictive of functional outcomes in patients who underwent MTLIF. Age alone, therefore, may not be an appropriate surrogate for risk. Furthermore, baseline preoperative independent ambulation was associated with better clinical outcomes and should be considered during preoperative surgical counseling.Level of Evidence: 3.

Volume

46

Issue

6

First Page

356

Last Page

365

DOI

10.1097/BRS.0000000000003792

ISSN

1528-1159

PubMed ID

33620179

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