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19-03-2024 | Spinal Surgery | Original Article

Frailty is not an independent risk factor for worse clinical outcomes in lumbar spinal surgery: a prospective cohort study

Authors: Hong Kyung Shin, Ji Yeon Baek, Jeoung Hee Kim, Danbi Park, Sang Ryong Jeon, Sung Woo Roh, Il-Young Jang, Jin Hoon Park

Published in: European Spine Journal

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Abstract

Purpose

Recently, many studies revealed that frailty affects unfavorably on postoperative outcomes in lumbar spinal diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between frailty and clinical outcomes while identifying risk factors associated with worse clinical outcomes following lumbar spinal surgery.

Methods

From March 2019 to February 2021, we prospectively enrolled eligible patients with degenerative lumbar spinal diseases requiring surgery. Frailty was assessed preoperatively. To identify the impact of frailty on lumbar spinal diseases, clinical outcomes, which were measured with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and postoperative complications, were compared according to the frailty. PROs were assessed preoperatively and one year postoperatively. In addition, risk factors for preoperative and postoperative worse clinical outcomes were investigated.

Results

PROs were constantly lower in the frail group than in the non-frail group before and after surgery, and the change of PROs between before and after surgery and postoperative complications were not different between the groups. In addition, frailty was a persistent risk factor for postoperative worse clinical outcome before and after surgery in lumbar spinal surgery.

Conclusion

Frailty persistently affects the clinical outcome negatively before and after surgery in lumbar spinal surgery. However, as the change of the clinical outcome is not different between the frail group and the non-frail group, it is difficult to interpret whether the frail patients are vulnerable to the surgery. In conclusion, frailty is not an independent risk factor for worse clinical outcome in lumbar spinal surgery.
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Metadata
Title
Frailty is not an independent risk factor for worse clinical outcomes in lumbar spinal surgery: a prospective cohort study
Authors
Hong Kyung Shin
Ji Yeon Baek
Jeoung Hee Kim
Danbi Park
Sang Ryong Jeon
Sung Woo Roh
Il-Young Jang
Jin Hoon Park
Publication date
19-03-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Spinal Surgery
Published in
European Spine Journal
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-024-08202-z