Evaluation of Patient Expectations for Surgical Treatment of Degenerative Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine

Objective. To determine the main demographic factors that influence preoperative expectations of patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine.

Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed for 103 patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine who were scheduled for surgery in the period from 2019 to 2021. General demographic data, level of patient’s education and the presence of previous surgeries were taken into account. Expectations for surgical treatment outcome were assessed using a translated and adapted Russian version of the Hospital for Special Surgery – Lumbar Spine Surgery Expectations Survey (HSS-LSSES) questionnaire. The quality of life of patients was assessed using the general questionnaires: European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D-5L) and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), as well as the disease-specific Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Results. It was found that, according to HSS-LSSES, patients’ expectations for the upcoming surgical intervention are the higher, the older the patient’s age, the higher the general and emotional state of health, vitality, ODI scores, as well as the severity of pain syndrome, and the lower the mental health score. Patients with a high level of education and prior spinal surgery have lower expectations for subsequent surgery.

Conclusion. The expectations of patients for the surgical treatment for degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine depend on the patient’s age, level of education, anamnesis and severity of decline in the quality of life.

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