Abstracts Posters SICOT-SOF meeting Gothenburg 2010 _2_

Poster
Topic: Spine
Abstract number: 26200
QUALITY OF LIFE, PAIN AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR SPINAL
STENOSIS NOT SELECTED FOR SURGERY
Karin FRENNERED, Per WESSBERG
Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg (SWEDEN)
INTRODUCTION: According to the national registry for back surgery in Sweden
intervention for lumbar spinal stenosis is the most commonly performed. In studies of
natural history symptoms were unchanged at follow-up in 70% of the patients.
OBJECTIVE: To study descriptive data in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis not
selected for surgery. MATERIAL: 242 consecutive patients with lumbar spinal
stenosis, referred for surgical evaluation, were retrieved from a computerized
register. 40% were selected for surgery and were excluded. 143 patients were not
recommended surgical treatment. Degenerative spondylolisthesis and scoliosis
occurred in 26% respectively. METHOD: At surgical evaluation patients answered a
computerized interview with validated questionnaires on a touch screen, recording
background data, quality of life (EQ5D), pain(VAS) and function(General Function
Score, GFS, walking distance). RESULTS: 58% were women with a mean age of
69yrs. 42% were men with a mean age of 65yrs. Mean EQ5D was 37(-22-80). Mean
back pain (VAS) was 61(0-100) and leg pain 56(0-100). Mean GFS was 37 (0-83).
Walking distance, estimated by the patients, was less than 100m in 32%, 100-500m
in 23%, 500m-1km in 21% and more than 1 km in 23%. CONCLUSION: In patients
with lumbar spinal stenosis not selected for surgery walking distance was longer but
quality of life, intensity of back and leg pain, mean age and sex distribution was
comparable with data from the national registry for patients selected for surgery.
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