Presurgical biopsychosocial variables predict medical and compensation costs of lumbar fusion in Utah workers' compensation patients.
BACKGROUND
Elective lumbar fusion surgery is a prevalent and costly procedure that requires a lengthy rehabilitation. It is important to identify presurgical biopsychosocial predictors of medical and compensation costs in such patients.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if presurgical biopsychosocial variables are predictive of compensation and medical costs in a cohort of Utah lumbar fusion patients receiving workers' compensation.


METHODS
A retrospective-cohort study consisting of a review of presurgical medical records and accrued medical and compensations costs.


METHODS
A consecutive sample of 203 compensated workers from Utah who underwent lumbar fusion from 1990 to 1995. Patients were at least 2 years postsurgery.


METHODS
Total accrued medical and compensations costs.


METHODS
A retrospective review of presurgical biopsychosocial variables and total accrued medical and compensation costs was conducted.


RESULTS
Presurgical variables from each of the biopsychosocial domains were statistically significantly correlated with medical and compensation costs. Social and biological variables were the best predictors of total compensation costs, whereas psychological variables were better predictors of total medical costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Compensation and medical costs associated with posterolateral lumbar fusion can be predicted by preintervention biopsychosocial variables. Cost reduction programs might benefit from identifying biopsychosocial factors related to increased costs.
DeBerard
M Scott
MS
Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-2810, USA. sdeberard@coe.usu.edu
Masters
Kevin S
KS
Colledge
Alan L
AL
Holmes
Edward B
EB
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014589:Utah; D014942:Workers' Compensation