Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire Responsiveness to Change Associated with Surgical Treatment: An Update with 24-month Follow-Up

· (b – DePuy AcroMed; c – Isola Implants solely licensed to DePuy AcroMed)

The purpose of this study is to determine the responsiveness of the SRS-22 questionnaire to patient change associated with surgery.

Methods: This is an ongoing prospective study. To date 58 patients (48 F, 10 M) average age 16.4 years (range, 10.6 to 47.3) with average Cobb size 63° (range, 40° to 137°) have been enrolled. Patients are tested pre operatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 month intervals post operatively utilizing the SRS-22 outcomes questionnaire, scoring scale 5 best and 1 lowest. Statistical analysis is done using the paired t-test, significance was p=0.01. Significance is calculated only on individuals with domain scores available at the given two time points of interest: 3 months (n=49); 6 months (n=35); 12 months (n=33), and 24 months (n=19).

Results: Function was significantly decreased at 3 months but returned to baseline thereafter: pre operative 4.1; 3 months 3.3 (p<0.0001); 6 months 3.9 (ns) ; 12 months 4.2 (ns); and 24 mo 4.3 (ns). Pain was significantly worse at 3 months but returned to baseline thereafter: preoperative 4.0; 3 months 3.5 (p=0.004); 6 months 3.9 (ns); 12 months 4.2 (ns) and 24 months 4.2 (ns). Self image was significantly improved at three months and remained improved: Pre operative 3.3; 3 months 4.3 (p<0.0001); 6 months 4.2 (p<0.0001); 12 months 4.3 (p<0.0001); and 24 months 4.1 (p=0.0003). Mental health was unaffected except at 24 months where it was slightly improved: pre operative 4.0; 3 months 4.0 (ns); 6 months 4.2 (ns); 12 months 4.2 (ns) and 24 months 4.3 (p=0.0186).

Conclusion: The SRS-22 questionnaire is responsive to changes in the post-surgical period. The changes observed are concordant with those expected clinically, a temporary increase in pain and decrease in function with lasting improvement in self-image. Mental health may be slightly improved with time.

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