Correlation between the degree of correction of neuromuscular scoliosis and patient quality of life

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: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.METHODS: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.RESULTS: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.CONCLUSION: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.

Pediatric Scoliosis Surgery—A Comprehensive Analysis of Treatment-Specific Variables and Trends in Latvia

“…A comparable study by Nordon et al found at a mean age of 15.9 years and a mean percentage correction of 42.8% from a mean Cobb angle of 78.8 to 44.6 degrees. They also reported that patients stayed a mean average of 10 days at the hospital [28], which is slightly less than patients in Latvia with 11.8 ± 2.6 days. Although a direct comparison between these results is difficult, they may suggest that an operation at a younger age could lead to higher Cobb angle correction percentages and less hospitalization time for patients with neuromuscular scoliosis.…”

Clinical and radiological efficacy of spino-pelvic fixation in the treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis

“…The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was evaluated for the NMS patients with cerebral palsy etiology at preoperatively. Bridwell’s questionnaire were used for clinical evaluation preoperatively, and/or at postoperative 2-year follow-up 11 .…”

Analysis of the Ways for Non-Instrumental Evaluation of Functional Condition of the Patients With Neuromuscular Scoliosis

“…Однако, несмотря на то, что исследование результатов на основе данных пациентов является важным инструментом количественной оценки воздействия лечения деформации позвоночника на состояние пациента, анализ литературы показывает, что степень доказательств улучшения функциональных результатов, качества жизни очень низка у больных с нейромышечным сколиозом [8,14]. Доказательства в поддержку улучшения качества жизни и функциональных результатов у пациентов с церебральным параличом и мышечной дистрофией Дюшенна очень слабые, a у пациентов spina bifida они отсутствуют [8].…”

“…Очень важно обеспечение согласованности во всех учреждениях, и это должно быть в центре будущей работы в этой области по всем результатам исследования [9]. Кроме того, в будущем было бы предпочтительно проводить каждое собеседование по телефону и/или с профессионалом, не являющимся врачом, чтобы получить более объективные ответы [14].…”

“…Показатели послеоперационной оценки качества жизни (Quality of Life -QOL) все чаще используются для дополнения объективных клинических или биологических индикаторов заболевания при оценке эффективности вмешательств, включая хирургию [6]. В литературе отсутствуют показатели послеоперационной оценки качества жизни (QOL), подходящей для всех пациентов с нервно-мышечным сколиозом, нет общей анкеты, которая учитывала бы широкий спектр НМС [14].…”