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- Fritzell, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Cost-effectiveness of lumbar fusion and nonsurgical treatment for chronic low back pain in the Swedish lumbar spine study : A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial from the Swedish Lumbar Spine Study Group
- 2004
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In: Spine. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0362-2436 .- 1528-1159. ; 29:4, s. 421-434
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Study Design. A cost-effectiveness study was performed from the societal and health care perspectives. Objective. To evaluate the costs-effectiveness of lumbar fusion for chronic low back pain (CLBP) during a 2-year follow-up. Summary of Background Data. A full economic evaluation comparing costs related to treatment effects in patients with CLBP is lacking. Patients and Methods. A total of 284 of 294 patients with CLBP for at least 2 years were randomized to either lumbar fusion or a nonsurgical control group. Costs for the health care sector ( direct costs), and costs associated with production losses ( indirect costs) were calculated. Societal total costs were identified as the sum of direct and indirect costs. Treatment effects were measured using patient global assessment of improvement, back pain ( VAS), functional disability (Owestry), and return to work. Results. The societal total cost per patient ( standard deviations) in the surgical group was significantly higher than in the nonsurgical group: Swedish kroner (SEK) 704,000 ( 254,000) vs. SEK 636,000 ( 208,000). The cost per patient for the health care sector was significantly higher for the surgical group, SEK 123,000 ( 60,100) vs. 65,200 ( 38,400) for the control group. All treatment effects were significantly better after surgery. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ( ICER), illustrating the extra cost per extra effect unit gained by using fusion instead of nonsurgical treatment, were for improvement: SEK 2,600 ( 600 - 5,900), for back pain: SEK 5,200 ( 1,100 - 11,500), for Oswestry: SEK 11,300 ( 1,200 - 48,000), and for return to work: SEK 4,100 ( 100 21,400). Conclusion. For both the society and the health care sectors, the 2-year costs for lumbar fusion was significantly higher compared with nonsurgical treatment but all treatment effects were significantly in favor of surgery. The probability of lumbar fusion being cost-effective increased with the value put on extra effect units gained by using surgery.
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| 3. |
- Moller, H., et al.
(author)
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Symptoms, signs, and functional disability in adult spondylolisthesis
- 2000
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In: Spine. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0362-2436 .- 1528-1159. ; 25:6, s. 683-690
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Study Design. A cross-sectional clinical study. Objectives. To determine whether there are specific symptoms, signs, and functional disability associated with adult spondylolisthesis. Summary of Background Data. In spite of the common occurrence of adult spondylolisthesis, the symptoms, signs, and disability associated with it have not been analyzed in a large, well-defined group of patients. Methods. The symptoms, signs, and disability of 111 consecutive patients with adult spondylolisthesis, before randomized treatment with fusion or physiotherapy, were compared with those of 39 patients with nonspecific low back pain before lumbar fusion. The patients completed a questionnaire covering clinical history and symptoms and submitted a pain drawing. The signs were documented. Functional disability and pain were quantified by 12-function and 2-pain visual analog scales, respectively. Results. Sixty-two percent of the patients reported low back pain as well as sciatica, 7% sciatica only, and 31% low back pain only. Specific signs were infrequent. A positive straight leg raising test result in 12% and an L5 sensory disturbance in 13% were the most common. The symptoms were similar in patients with spondylolisthesis and chronic low back pain, but the chronic low back pain group reported more functional disability. Patients with a nonorganic pain drawing (widespread, nonspecific pain) were more often blue collar workers, were more often and longer on sick leave, and reported reduced mental condition, sexual function, functional ability, and more pain than patients with an organic pain drawing (localized, specific pain). Conclusions. The clinical pattern and functional disability in adult spondylolisthesis and in low back pain of nonspecific origin are similar. Sciatica in adult spondylolisthesis is typically not associated with a positive straight leg raising test result.
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