Lumbar Spondylosis Sufferers Endure Lowest Quality-adjusted Life Year Health State Among Those Affected by Common Chronic Diseases

Newswise — Miami (April 17, 2012) — Today at the 80th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) in Miami, researchers revealed surprising results from a study exploring the impact lumbar spondylosis has on sufferers’ mean quality-adjusted life year (QALY) compared to other common chronic disease states.

The study, The relative impact of lumbar spondylosis on quality of life in the United States: A population health perspective, also utilized U.S. prevalence rates to determine the relative impact these common diseases have on overall health of the U.S. population. The findings from this study will be introduced by presenting author Scott Parker, MD, 4:27-4:35 p.m., on Tuesday, April 17. Co-authors are Cyrus Wong, MD; Marcus Gates; and Matthew McGirt, MD.

The researchers conducted systematic literature review of studies utilizing health state instrument (EQ-5D). Studies examining ten common disease states (both surgical and non-surgical) were included. Baseline health state for each disease was recorded from the literature, with mean health state per disease state multiplied by Center for Disease Control-reported disease prevalence rates to determine overall QALY lost per disease state within the United States. A total of 137 studies (135,106 patients) met the criteria for inclusion. Lumbar spondylosis patients had a cumulative mean EQ-5D of 0.39, the lowest QALY among all disease states examined. Lumbar spondylosis, knee osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes mellitus were the most prevalent diseases. Estimated total annual QALYs lost in the United States was greatest for lumbar spondylosis, with a total of 18,391,456 QALYs — 1.34-fold higher than knee osteoarthritis, 2.6-fold greater than COPD and diabetes, and 4.34-fold greater than degenerative hip disease.

According to these findings, researchers concluded that lumbar spondylosis was associated with the lowest QALY health state compared to other disease states. Impact on QALYs lost for the U.S. population is significantly higher for lumbar spondylosis than disease states studied — suggesting degenerative spinal disorders have a large and detrimental effect on the health and quality of life for those living in the U.S. The researchers add that health-care reform initiatives should allocate appropriate resources and spending to address this high-impact disease.

Disclosure: the author reports no conflicts of interest.

The 2012 AANS Annual Meeting press kit includes releases on highlighted scientific research, AANS officer and award winners, and National Neurosurgery Awareness Week. These releases will be posted under Media/Press on the 2012 AANS Annual Meeting website page. Additional information about the AANS Annual Meeting and the Meeting Program is available by clicking here.

Media Representatives: If you would like to cover the meeting or interview a neurosurgeon — either on-site or via telephone — please contact John Iwanski, AANS Director of Member and Public Outreach, at 847-378-0517, or call the Annual Scientific Meeting Press Room beginning Monday, April 16 at 786-276-4501.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 8,100 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves. For more information, visit www.AANS.org.