title: Short-term prognostic factors in lumbar disc surgery: the low back prognostic score is of predictive value.
abstract: In order to determine prognostic factors of lumbar disc surgery, we examined 107 patients who were conventionally operated on in a prospective, consecutive study. We analysed general data, the case history, the neurological examination at admission and all data from imaging examinations and therapy. In addition, all patients received a questionnaire based on the Low Back Outcome Score [9, 10]. The patients were re-examined after 2-8 months (103 days mean). According to their ratings on a pain grading scale, the patients were divided into a group with favorable and another with unfavorable results. These groups were analysed in relation to the patients' initial condition. At follow up, 88% of the patients had either completely recovered or their complaints had been relieved. According to the Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS), 64.5% went well. Used to evaluate the initial condition of the patients on admission the LBOS was able to predict favorable outcome in 68% and unfavorable outcome in 50%. To improve the prognostic value, we combined significant questions of the LBOS with the pain grading scale and significant prognostic factors to form a new prognostic score (Low Back Prognostic Score). With this new score we were able to predict a favorable outcome in 84% of our patients, and an unfavorable outcome in 71%. The Low Back Prognostic score seems to provide a sensitive method for predicting a favorable or unfavorable outcome for patients scheduled to undergo lumbar disc surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Regensburg.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woertgen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gliese
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Rothoerl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holzschuh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schlaier
authors.forename: O W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Ullrich
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brawanski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome