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European Spine Journal

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01-11-2016 | Original Article

Gender differences in the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation in elderly

Authors: Fredrik Strömqvist, Björn Strömqvist, Bo Jönsson, Magnus K. Karlsson

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 11/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Outcome after lumbar disc herniation (LDH) surgery in middle-aged patient is usually reported to fulfill the criteria for successful outcome. It is also known that women in these years have an inferior outcome compared to men. This study evaluates whether the same gender differences exist in elderly.

Method

In the national Swedish register for spine surgery (SweSpine) we identified 1668 patients ≥65 years. 1250 of these patients had both pre- and 1-year postoperative data registered, 53 % males with mean age 70.6 ± 5.0 (mean ± SD) and 47 % females with mean age 71.3 ± 5.2. All were surgically treated due to LDH between 2000 and 2012.

Results

Before surgery both men and women had severe impairment, compared to normative data, in all patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), with women having inferior status to men. Improvement by surgery was similar in both genders but neither of them reached normative values in quality of life as compared to normative age-matched individuals. As a consequence of this women 1 year after surgery had more back and leg pain, higher consumption of analgesics, greater impairment in walking distance and inferior scoring in virtually all registered PROMs compared to men (all p < 0.005). In spite of this women were as satisfied with the surgical outcome as the men.

Conclusion

Elderly women with LDH surgery report inferior outcome compared to males, mainly as a result of being referred to surgery with an inferior status but are despite this as satisfied with outcome as the men.

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Title: Gender differences in the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation in elderly
Authors: Fredrik Strömqvist
Björn Strömqvist
Bo Jönsson
Magnus K. Karlsson
Publication date: 01-11-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 11/2016
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4638-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Gender differences in the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation in elderly

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

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