Inthira Roopsawang. A follow-up study of health status in patients with chronic low back pain before and after spinal surgery. Master's Degree(Adult Nursing ). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2008.
A follow-up study of health status in patients with chronic low back pain before and after spinal surgery
Abstract:
The objective of this prospective descriptive research was to compare health
status in patients with chronic low back pain before and after spinal surgery, at a 6-
week follow-up. The conceptual framework of this study was based on Smiths idea
of a health model. This study was comprised of 69 patients who were 20 years of age
and older, and were diagnosed with LBP with degenerative spinal diseases, and
received spinal surgery as the primary treatment. Data were obtained from patients
admitted to orthopaedic wards at three government tertiary care hospitals in Bangkok,
from February to August, 2008. The types of data collected in this study were: 1)
demographic; 2) Short-Form Health Survey Thai version; and 3) Modified Oswestry
Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire Thai version. Statistical analysis was
performed by using descriptive statistics and paired t-test. A p value < .05 was
considered statistically significant.
The findings of this study revealed that the means score of all Short-Form
Health Survey were M ± SD = 32.90 ± 17.61 VS 81.91 ± 16.18, before and after
surgery, respectively and Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire
scores were M ± SD = 62.78 ± 24.3 VS 11.97 ± 11.55, before and after surgery,
respectively. The scores were significantly improved postoperatively (p < .0001).
Moreover, approximately 20 % of patients perceived moderate or severe disability
during the 6-week follow-up, while 80 % perceived severe disability at the baseline
assessment.
As for the implications of this study, subjective evaluation tools which provide
the benefits of general health status and specific health status related to spinal
problems may help identify patients who are likely to benefit from surgical treatment.
In addition, although postoperative disability seems to be decreased, the provision of
continual care to the adult and older adult patients with chronic low back pain is
needed in order to restore the functional ability and improve their health status, which
has a major effect and influence on the patients quality of life