Two-Year Postoperative Validation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function After Lumbar Decompression.

INTRODUCTION

Physical function evaluated by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS PF) instrument has been validated through the short-term postsurgical period in spine surgery patients. Evidence for long-term efficacy of PROMIS PF is lacking in lumbar decompression (LD) patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate correlations between PROMIS PF and legacy patient-reported outcome measures for patients undergoing LD.

METHODS

Consecutive primary or revision, single-level or multilevel LD surgeries were retrospectively reviewed from May 2015 to September 2017. Patients lacking preoperative or 2-year PROMIS PF scores were excluded. Demographics, baseline pathology, and perioperative characteristics were collected, and descriptive statistics performed. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) back and leg, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) Physical Composite Score (PCS), and PROMIS PF were collected at preoperative and postoperative timepoints and evaluated for improvement from baseline values. Correlations between PROMIS PF and VAS back, VAS leg, SF-12 PCS, and ODI were calculated and categorized according to the strength of relationship.

RESULTS

Ninety-two patients were included in this study with 58.7% of LDs performed at the single level. All patient-reported outcome measures demonstrated significant improvement from baseline values at all assessment timepoints (all P < 0.001). Apart from preoperative VAS back and VAS leg, PROMIS PF demonstrated a significant and strong correlation with VAS back, VAS leg, ODI, and SF-12 PCS at all timepoints (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

PROMIS PF demonstrated a strong correlation with pain, disability, and PF outcome measures throughout the postoperative period out to 2 years after LD. Our study provides longitudinal evidence that the PROMIS PF instrument is a valid measure for PF for patients undergoing LD.