title: Correlation between the degree of correction of neuromuscular scoliosis and patient quality of life.
abstract: There are few data on patient satisfaction with surgery for the correction of neuromuscular scoliosis or on the correlation between patient satisfaction and the degree of curve correction achieved by surgery. Our aim was to determine the correlations between both patient satisfaction and perception of quality of life and the degree of curve correction.
  We interviewed 18 patients and administered a questionnaire that collected social and economic data and information about functional ability, comorbidities and satisfaction. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests, Pearson correlation and paired t-tests.
  The mean correction achieved was 42.8%, i.e., 34.17 degrees. Early and late complication rates were low (11.1% each). Almost all of the patients (94.4%) were satisfied with the surgery, and expectations were met for 61.1% of them. Quality of life and aesthetics were improved in 83.4% and 94.4% of cases, respectively. No correlation was found between satisfaction and degree of correction.
  Our surgical results are similar to those of other studies with respect to the degree of correction and patient satisfaction. The disparity between satisfaction and fulfillment of expectations may be due to unrealistic initial expectations or misunderstanding of the objective of surgery. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that satisfaction is multifactorial and not restricted to a quantitative goal. The satisfaction of patients who undergo operation for neuromuscular scoliosis does not depend directly on the degree of deformity correction. The relationship between satisfaction and the success of the correction procedure is complex and multifactorial.
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Divisão de Cirurgia da Coluna, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: David Gonçalves
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Nordon
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Divisão de Cirurgia da Coluna, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ariel Falbel
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lugão
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Divisão de Cirurgia da Coluna, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucas Castrillon Carmo
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Divisão de Cirurgia da Coluna, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raphael Martus
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Marcon
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Divisão de Cirurgia da Coluna, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Fogaça
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cristante
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Divisão de Cirurgia da Coluna, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tarcísio Eloy Pessoa
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: de Barros
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Divisão de Cirurgia da Coluna, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Olavo Biraghi
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Letaif
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult