[The relationship between objective and subjective evaluation criteria in lumbar spinal stenosis].
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the relationship between functional objective and patient-based subjective assessments and quality of life in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).


METHODS
Thirty patients (25 females, 5 males; mean age 62+/-9 years; range 41-78 years) were prospectively studied. All were diagnosed as having LSS by clinical and radiological evaluations. Pain was assessed by a visual analog scale. The patients were evaluated by the two-staged treadmill exercise tolerance (TET) test, SF-36 health status survey, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The relationships between the TET test, which is an objective functional assessment, and patient-based assessments (SF-36 and ODI), pain and age were investigated.


RESULTS
There were significant differences between the functional grades of the patients at the speed of 1.9 km/hour with respect to ODI scores, the physical component scale of SF-36, age, and the preferred speed of the patients (p<0.05). These differences emerged from the fourth functional stage (p<0.01). Oswestry disability scores and the physical component scores of SF-36 worsened in parallel with the stages of the TET test. The preferred speed of the patients at the TET test was positively correlated with the physical component scores of SF-36 and negatively correlated with Oswestry disability scores (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the physical component scores of SF-36 and Oswestry disability scores (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The TET test used to determine the functional capacity seems to be correlated well with subjective patient-based assessments. This objective tool, when combined with subjective assessments, may be helpful in the evaluation and treatment of patients with LSS.
Gülbahar
Selmin
S
Dokuz Eylül Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tip ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dali, Izmir. selmingulbahar@yahoo.com
Berk
Haluk
H
Pehlivan
Elif
E
Senocak
Ozlem
O
Akçali
Omer
O
Koşay
Can
C
Gürcan
Ayşe
A
Alper
Serap
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*