Biopsychosocial factors predict quality of life in thoracolumbar spine surgery

Abstract

These results show that preoperative psychosocial variables are significantly associated with poorer postoperative health-related QoL outcomes following spinal surgeries, supporting a biopsychosocial pre-op care map.

Association of Resilience and Social Networks with Pain Outcomes Among Older Adults

“…The negative attributes of depression, 1–7 stress, 2,8–10 and poor sleep 10–17 have been associated with increased pain outcomes among older adults. There is general consensus that positive resources, such as resilience and social connectedness, can help to offset some of the impact of these negative attributes on health outcomes.…”

“…There is general consensus that positive resources, such as resilience and social connectedness, can help to offset some of the impact of these negative attributes on health outcomes. 1,2,5,12,18–26 Meanwhile, social science research has demonstrated consistent evidence of a negativity bias whereby negative stimuli, (eg, social strain, ambivalent ties, adverse events) influence physiological outcomes more strongly than do positive stimuli or events. 12,24,25 It was of interest to understand if this phenomenon could be documented within the context of pain outcomes for the protective effects of positive resources relative to the detrimental impacts of negative attributes.…”

“…Among negative attributes, depression has been associated most consistently with pain severity and interference. 1–8,11,18 Most consider the relationship to be bidirectional in that depression is associated with the likelihood of increased pain and pain is associated with the likelihood of increased depression. 3,6 With the frequent co-occurrence of pain and depression, effective pain management strategies, of necessity, would imply the integration of mental health management.…”

“…Finally, social connectedness is generally measured as perceived social support evaluating the individual's perception of support, whether realized or not. 1,2,9,24,25 More recently, a more quantitative approach to social networks has been designed as a “count” metric for various types of social experiences (eg, the number of contacts among family, friends, neighbors, religious communities, or clubs and organizations) with more diverse networks across types of social contacts conceived as being more stable and thus more protective. 23,26 Regardless of the specific measure, however, perceived social support, social participation, or diverse social networks have demonstrated a protective effect on pain severity and subsequent functional abilities.…”

“…23,26 Regardless of the specific measure, however, perceived social support, social participation, or diverse social networks have demonstrated a protective effect on pain severity and subsequent functional abilities. 1,2,7,23–25 Social support appears to buffer biological reactivity to stressful events and is health promoting either through better adherence to healthier behaviors and compliance with medical regimens or through minimizing psychological processes, such as depression. 1,23,24,26…”