Spine. 34(18):E653-E658, August 15, 2009.

Dissecting the Effects of Spinal Fusion and Deformity Magnitude on Quality of Life in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Tsutsui, Shunji MD *; Pawelek, Jeff BS *; Bastrom, Tracey MA *; Lenke, Lawrence MD +; Lowe, Thomas MD ++; Betz, Randal MD [S]; Clements, David MD [S]; Newton, Peter O. MD *
Institution From the *Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA; +Department of Orthopedic Surgery, WA University, St Louis, MO; ++Deceased (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Woodridge Spine, Wheat Ridge, CO); and [S]Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shriner's Children's Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.

Study Design. A retrospective review of scores from the Scoliosis Research Society outcomes instrument (SRS-24 questionnaire).

Objective. To quantify the isolated effects of spinal fusion and deformity magnitude on quality of life in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary of Background Data. Significant improvements in 2-year postoperative SRS-24 questionnaire scores have been reported despite the loss of spinal motion due to instrumentation and arthrodesis. As deformity reduction may influence patient perception, it has been difficult to isolate the effect of spinal fusion on quality of life after scoliosis surgery.

Methods. SRS-24 scores were compared between 3 cohorts of AIS patients (preoperative, postoperative, and nonoperative) using an ANOVA (P < 0.05) to determine the isolated effects of spinal fusion and deformity magnitude. Preoperative SRS-24 scores were collected from a group of patients with preoperative major Cobb angles greater than 40[degrees] (n = 194). Postoperative SRS-24 scores were collected from patients with preoperative major Cobb angles greater than 40[degrees] and 2-year postoperative major Cobb angles between 20[degrees] and 40[degrees] (n = 196). Finally, SRS-24 scores were collected from a nonoperative group of patients with major Cobb angles between 20[degrees] and 40[degrees] (n = 112).

Results. Spinal fusion was found to have a negative isolated effect on the Activity domain (-0.3) and on the Total score (-0.2) (P = 0.001) of the SRS-24 questionnaire (score range: 1-5). A smaller deformity magnitude, on the other hand, was found to have a significantly positive isolated effect on all 4 preoperative domains (P < 0.001) and on the Total score (P < 0.001). The combined effect of surgery (spinal fusion and deformity correction) was found to be significantly positive for the Total score (P < 0.001) and for the domains of Pain, Self-Image, and Function (P < 0.001).

Conclusion. Spinal fusion has an isolated negative effect on AIS patients' quality of life (Total score) mostly due to a decrease in scores of the Activity domain. The overall positive effect of surgery depends on the individual effects of spinal fusion (slight reduction in quality of life) and deformity reduction (modest improvement in quality of life).

(C) 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.