Abstract
To prospectively determine the relationship between the two most commonly used generic spinal outcome measures, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS).
Outcome measures inform audit and research. Few spine surgical specific outcome measures are in general use. Generic measures are used for a variety of spinal disorders it is not known which is best or exactly how they relate for different conditions. Pre-operatively and two years post surgical results were available in 240 patients. There were 125 males, 115 females. Sub groups numbering 82 discetomy, 78 decompression, 26 revision and 19 fusions were analysed.
Average age 55 years (range 23-88). The pre op average ODI was 55% and the LBOS was 29. Correlation was -0.73. The overall post operative score at 2 years was 34% ODI and 37 LBOS, the correlation was better at -0.87.
The correlation between the two scores post operatively was very good for Discectomy surgery (-0.916) and fusion surgery (-0.907) but not so close pre operatively with Discectomy (-0.786) and fusion correlation poor at (-0.302). Revision surgery and decompression surgery had similar good correlation post operatively. The correlation of both outcome measures to the Modified Zung depression index was poor.
The poor pre operative correlation suggests that thresholds for surgery cannot be compared within registries using different measures. The post operative scores and change in scores correlate better. This is important in comparative studies using different outcomes scores within the same spine registry.
No conflict of Interest. Registered database and audit of service standard
