title: Predictors of functional outcome in elderly patients undergoing posterior lumbar spine surgery.
abstract: To ascertain the predictors of functional outcome in elderly patients undergoing posterior lumbar spinal decompression and fusion, a modified low back outcome score questionnaire survey in 83 elderly patients (49 men, 34 women) was carried out at our hospital. The average follow-up was 35.8 months (range: 22-57 months). The outcomes were as follows: excellent to good, 83%; fair, 7%; and poor, 10%. Multiple regression analysis revealed that significant predictors of unfavorable outcome included coexistence of other bone and joint degenerative disorders (p < 0.001) and history of heart disease (p < 0.01). Patients who had undergone previous lumbar surgery had significantly lower modified low back outcome score than those without previous lumbar spine surgery (p < 0.05). The modified low back outcome score questionnaire system is a reliable method in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Spine Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sandhu
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Cammisa
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Girardi
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome