Correlation of curve flexibility analysis with patient health outcomes after scoliosis surgery using Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire

Abstract

Introduction: Outcome of corrective scoliosis surgery is dependent on radiographic improvements as well as patients' perspective and satisfaction, where the inter-relationship has not yet been reported elsewhere. The lack of discussion on this inter-relationship between the change in spinal curvatures before and after surgery and health-related quality of life explained by Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) domains remains an important topic to discuss. Patients' quality of life was also influenced by how best surgical planning on spinal bending correction. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion from 2014 to 2017 in our specialized center were recruited. Demographic variables and radiological measurements were collected. Patients filled out the SRS-22 questionnaire from a mobile device, of which the SRS-22 was digitally adopted using mobile technology and cloud computation. Results: The mean age at surgery is 17.52 years. “Function” and “pain” scores showed a similar pattern of score changing over the four time points. The patterns of SRS-22 score changes over the three time periods were similar in the six domain scores except a slight difference in “satisfaction,” which showed an increase 12–24 months after surgery, and the scores at “>24 months” returned to the scores at “<12 months” after surgery. Conclusions: Results from SRS-22 outcome measurements showed that “function” and “pain” were increased and better than “preoperative” years after surgery. “Mental” and “self-image” were improved after surgery. “Self-image” will be better with a more flexible spinal curve. Surgery was recommended when higher curve flexibility was detected to conserve a higher self-image.

Keywords

• adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
• curve flexibility
• health outcomes
• quality of life