Spondylolisthesis sx improves pediatric health related-QOL

(HealthDay)—In pediatric patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) improves significantly after surgery, especially in patients with low baseline HRQOL scores, according to a study published in the July issue of The Spine Journal.

Étienne Bourassa-Moreau, M.D., from the University of Montreal, and colleagues conducted an observational case series study involving 28 pediatric patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis (23 managed surgically and five managed nonsurgically) for a minimum of two years to describe changes in HRQOL. Neurologic exams and radiographic evaluations of slip grade were conducted, and self-reported Scoliosis Research Society questionnaires (SRS-22) were administered at baseline and follow-up.

The researchers found that, at baseline and last follow-up, the total SRS-22 scores were 3.31 ± 0.50 and 4.26 ± 0.50, respectively, for surgical patients (P < 0.001). The corresponding scores for nonsurgical patients were 4.12 ± 0.16 and 4.14 ± 0.38 (P = 0.854). There was a significant correlation between improvement in the SRS-22 score and low baseline value of SRS-22. In the nonsurgical patients there was no neurologic or slip deterioration during the follow-up.

"This article demonstrated that the HRQOL significantly improves after surgery in pediatric high-grade spondylolisthesis, especially in patients with low baseline HRQOL scores," the authors write. "Nonsurgical treatment with observation of high-grade spondylolisthesis can be considered in patients with near-normal baseline HRQOL, no evidence of progression, and no neurologic impairment."

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the medical device and technology industries.