Support for a Three-Item Questionnaire Prior to Spinal Surgery: A Health-Related Quality of Life Outcome Study

• Main Authors: Kelly Anne Thomas, Cara Sedney, Richard Gross
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2020-01-01
• Series: Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice
• Subjects: health-related quality of life; coping; questionnaire; pain; surgery
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0039-3400348

Objective Elective lumbar and cervical operations are becoming more common in the United States. Additionally, there is a movement in the literature and clinical practice to discover short versions of longer measures as a way to anticipate an outcome. This study aims to provide neurosurgeons in practice with a three-item questionnaire that can guide referrals to psychological services presurgery. Ultimately, results could lead to an improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) postspinal surgery. Methods This quantitative-descriptive, survey-based design with a retrospective chart review component followed 47 patients at baseline (N = 47), 3 months (N = 20), 6 months (N = 31), and 1 year (N = 19). A single item from the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, the Survey of Pain Attitudes, and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia were utilized in the three-item questionnaire as a baseline measure. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health measured HRQoL outcome at all time points. A linear regression model was conducted to predict mental health QoL postspinal surgery. Results This measure can predict mental health QoL outcomes up to 3-month postsurgery. Six-month and 1-year follow-ups are statistically inconclusive. Conclusion Individuals who are undergoing spinal surgery show lower mental health QoL outcome at baseline and 3-month postsurgery when responses on a three-item questionnaire are elevated. Limitations and future directions are discussed.