Impact of adult spinal deformity corrective surgery in patients with the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a 5-year follow-up report

Abstract

Purpose Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is reported as one of the symptoms of adult spinal deformity (ASD). Little is known about the mid-to long-term improvement in GERD symptoms after ASD surgery. Therefore, this retrospective study from prospectively collected database aimed to investigate GERD symptoms in patients for a minimum of 2 years after ASD corrective surgery. Methods Records from 230 patients (mean age: 64 years) who underwent ASD surgery were examined using the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaires for the diagnosis of GERD. FSSG scores and radiographic parameters were investigated preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months and 1, 2, and 5 years. Results In total, 90 (39%) patients were preoperatively diagnosed with GERD defined by FSSG score ≥ 8 points. Radiographic results showed that the corrective surgeries improved local and global alignments. In the GERD patients, preoperative FSSG scores (16.1 ± 7.3 points) significantly improved to 7.7 ± 7.4 points within 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001), and postoperative FSSG scores maintained at 1 year (9.9 ± 8.2 points, p = 0.061), 2 years (9.7 ± 8.2 points, p = 0.086), and 5 years (9.4 ± 8.0 points, p = 0.177). Among the GERD group, 62 patients (69%; improvement cases) showed improvement in GERD symptoms defined by FSSG score < 8 points within 6 months postoperatively. Conclusions Among ASD patients, 39% were diagnosed with GERD. In 69% of these patients, GERD symptoms improved within 6 months of corrective surgery and maintained up to 5 years postoperatively.

Cost-effectiveness of Corrective Fusion Surgeries for Adult Spinal Deformities

“…Nonetheless, clinical outcomes improved postoperatively, which was maintained for up to 5 years. 30 Therefore, index surgery for ASD is cost-effective 4 to 5 years after the initial surgery. 11 Importantly, for cost-effective ASD surgery, there should be no increased cost after the initial surgery.…”

Scoliosis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Adults

“…Lower back pain is a common presentation in patients with degenerative scoliosis. Other symptoms such as leg pain, improper balance in the sagittal and coronal planes, and neurological deficits may appear as well [ 1 , 2 ]. It can be elucidated as a Cobb angle of more than 10 degrees in the coronal plane in patients with a mature skeleton [ 3 ].…”

Clinical Outcomes of Corrective Fusion Surgery From the Thoracic Spine to the Pelvis for Adult Spinal Deformity at 1, 2, and 5 years Postoperatively

“…A dult spinal deformities (ASD) are associated with poor spinal and pelvic alignment, resulting in a variety of problems such as back pain, lower extremity pain, gait disturbance, visceral disturbance, and psychological disturbance. [1][2][3] Patients with mild to moderate ASD can be treated with conservative therapies such as medication and exercise therapy, but surgical treatment is an option for patients whose daily activities and healthrelated quality of life deteriorate despite adequate conservative treatment. 4,5 Pre-and postoperative evaluation in patients with ASD generally involves assessment of radiological parameters in the sagittal and coronal planes on fulllength freestanding spine radiographs.…”