Measuring health in patients with cervical and lumbosacral spinal disorders: is the 12-item short-form health survey a valid alternative for the 36-item short-form health survey?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the convergent validity of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF-12v2), with 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF-36v2), in patients with spinal disorders, and to determine other key factors that might further explain the variances between the 2 surveys.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Orthopedic ambulatory care.


METHODS
Eligible participants (N=98; 24 with cervical, 74 with lumbosacral disorders) who were aged 18 years and older, scheduled to undergo spinal surgery, and completed the SF-36v2.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
SF-36v2 and SF-12v2 (extracted from the SF-36v2).


RESULTS
The 2 summary scores, physical and mental component scores (r range, .88-.97), and most of the scale scores (r range, .81-.99) correlated strongly between the SF-12v2 and SF-36v2, except for the general health score (cervical group, r=.69; lumbosacral group, r=.76). Stepwise linear regression analyses showed the SF-12v2 general health scores (cervical: beta=.61, P<.001; lumbosacral: beta=.68, P<.001) and the level of comorbidities (cervical: beta=-.37, P=.014; lumbosacral: beta=-.18, P=.039) were significant predictors of the SF-36v2 general health score in both groups, whereas age (beta=.32, P<.001) and smoking history (beta=-.22, P=.005) were additional predictors in the lumbosacral group.


CONCLUSIONS
SF-12v2 is a practical and valid alternative for the SF-36v2 in measuring health of patients with cervical or lumbosacral spinal disorders. The validity of the SF-12v2 general health score interpretation is further improved when the level of comorbidities, age, and smoking history are taken into consideration.
Lee
C Ellen
CE
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. celee@cc.umanitoba.ca
Browell
Lisa M
LM
Jones
Dina L
DL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*