Major Complications at Two Years After Surgery Impact SRS Scores for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients

Abstract

Study design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objective: To determine whether adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with active complications at two-year follow-up demonstrate lower Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-22) questionnaire scores.

Summary of background data: There is limited evidence as to whether the SRS-22 is sensitive to complications in postoperative AIS patients.

Methods: Surgical patients with SRS-22 scores completed at two-year follow-up were included. Five groups were created: no complication, minor complication resolved by 2 years, major complication resolved by 2 years, minor complication active, and major complication active at 2 years. Likelihood of reaching a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for pain (0.20) and self-image (0.98) was evaluated.

Results: 1,481 patients were identified. Major complications active at two years existed in 2.2% of patients. These patients had the lowest score in all domains and total scores (p < .05). If a minor complication was active, scores were impacted for pain, self-image, satisfaction, and total (p < .05). No differences were found between no complication and resolved complications. Patients with active major complications were more likely to have a pain score that worsened from pre- to two years reaching MCID (52%) compared to the other four groups (range 18%-29%, odds ratio [OR] 3.6, p < .001). They also had a nonsignificant decreased rate of improvement of self-image score at an MCID level (42% vs. range 51%-66%, OR 0.56, p = .10).

Conclusions: When timing is considered, the SRS-22 demonstrates the ability to discriminate between patients with and without a complication. Active experience of a major complication impacted SRS-22 scores, in particular, the rate of worsening scores for pain, self-image, function, and total score.

Level of evidence: Level III.

Keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Complication; Outcomes; Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire; Spinal fusion.