Clinical correlates of patient satisfaction after laminectomy for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
METHODS
Prospective multicenter observational study of the outcome of surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.


OBJECTIVE
To identify correlates of patient satisfaction with the results of surgery.


BACKGROUND
Little published information exists on correlates of patient satisfaction after surgery for spinal stenosis.


METHODS
Preoperative and 6-month follow-up data for 194 patients were analyzed. Associations between preoperative variables and satisfaction with the results of surgery were examined in univariate and multivariate models.


RESULTS
In multiple linear regression models that adjusted for the effects of age, gender, individual surgeon, number of interspaces decompressed, whether a fusion was performed, depression score, and overall level of pain, the predominance of back (as opposed to leg) pain, greater comorbidity, and worse preoperative functional status were associated with lower patient satisfaction. The regression model explained just 15% of the variance in patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients bothered predominantly by back pain preoperatively and those with greater medical comorbidity and functional disability are significantly less satisfied with the results of surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
Katz
J N
JN
Department of Rheumatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Lipson
S J
SJ
Brick
G W
GW
Grobler
L J
LJ
Weinstein
J N
JN
Fossel
A H
AH
Lew
R A
RA
Liang
M H
MH
D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires