Obesity and litigation predict workers' compensation costs associated with interbody cage lumbar fusion.
BACKGROUND
Results of lumbar fusion surgery have been mixed and procedures are costly. Interbody cage lumbar fusion (ICLF) has been advanced to improve arthrodesis and clinical outcomes; however, little attention has been given to ICLF costs or potential predictors of these expenses.


OBJECTIVE
To depict medical and compensation costs associated with ICLF in a Utah cohort of patients receiving workers' compensation as well as to investigate predictors of costs.


METHODS
A retrospective-cohort research design was used involving completion of presurgical and postsurgical medical record reviews and accrual of medical and compensation costs. Presurgical variables included in a regression model were presurgical spinal pathophysiology rating, obesity, and litigation status.


METHODS
Forty-three consecutive patients who were compensated by the Workers' Compensation Fund of Utah and underwent ICLF.


METHODS
Total accrued compensation and medical costs.


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


RESULTS
Multiple regression analysis indicated that nonpathophysiological factors predicted compensation costs (lawyer involvement [beta=0.40]; obesity [beta=0.34]). Specifically, compensation for those with versus without lawyers was $41,657 versus $24,837, and for those who were obese versus nonobese was $46,152 versus $28,168. Arthrodesis was correlated with medical costs (r=-0.47, p=.002), with incurred costs for patients achieving solid fusion versus pseudarthrosis equaling $38,881 versus $71,655, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Considerable costs were associated with ICLF, particularly for those who were obese, involved in litigation, or failed to achieve solid fusion. With regard to compensation costs, the findings support the importance of assessing nonpathophysiological factors in spinal fusion patients.
LaCaille
Rick A
RA
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, 1207 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812, USA. rlacaill@d.umn.edu
DeBerard
M Scott
MS
LaCaille
Lara J
LJ
Masters
Kevin S
KS
Colledge
Alan L
AL
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000191:economics*; D007603:Jurisprudence; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery*; D014589:Utah; D014942:Workers' Compensation