Researchers analyzed whether diabetes affected the quality of life of patients who underwent lumbar decompression surgery.
The study included 212 patients who had lumbar decompression between 2008 and 2014. Researchers measured postoperative changes in the EuroQol 5-Dimensions, Pain Disability Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire 9.
The Spine Journal published the study.
Here are four takeaways:
1. Diabetic patients did not have significant changes in EQ-5D, PDQ and PHQ-9 measures. Non-diabetic patients experienced improvements in these areas.
2. While 55 percent of non-diabetic patients achieved the EQ-5D minimal clinically important difference, only 23 percent of diabetic patients achieved EQ-5D MCID.
3. Researchers pinpointed diabetes as an independent predictor of failing to achieve an EQ-5D MCID.
4. Researchers concluded diabetes served as an independent predictor of reduced improvement in quality of life following lumbar decompression.