Long-term survival and positive outcomes in adult cervical deformity patients depend on factors such as BMI, frailty status and fusion length, according to a study in the March 2024 issue of The Spine Journal.
Four notes:
1. The retrospective analysis assessed 66 adult cervical deformity patients 10 years after having adult cervical deformity patients. At baseline they were comparable in age, gender and BMI.
2. Over a 10-year period, 12 patients had died. Patients who died between the five- and 10-year mark had higher baseline quality of life and motor function scores than those who died before the two year mark.
3. The biggest differences between patients who survived until five years was in undergoing osteotomy, the study said. Predictors of death before five years included higher BMI, increased frailty and increased levels fused.
4. Researchers concluded, "Our study demonstrates that long-term survival after cervical deformity surgery may be predicted by baseline surgical factors. By optimizing BMI, frailty status, and minimizing fusion length when appropriate, surgeons may be able to further assist