SF36 Is a Reliable Patient-Oriented Outcome Evaluation Tool in Surgically Treated Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Cases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundDegenerative spinal disorders have adverse impacts on patients’ quality of life. Because the main objectives of any surgical intervention are to improve health-related quality of life and to reduce disability, instruments capable of measuring patient-oriented outcomes are now increasingly used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF36) for assessing patient-oriented outcomes of degenerative cervical myelopathy surgery.Material/MethodsA literature search was conducted in electronic databases (Google Scholar, Ovid SP, PubMed, Science Direct, and Springer). Studies were included if they reported SF36 scores by following patients for at least 12 months. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate changes in SF36 physical/mental component summary (SF36-PCS/MCS), SF36 dimensional, Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA)/modified JOA (mJOA), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores by latest follow-up.ResultsFourteen studies (1966 patients; age 58.2 years [95% confidence interval (CI), 56.6 to 59.9]; 60% males [95% CI, 55 to 64]; follow-up 24.8 months [95% CI, 20.9 to 28.7]) were included in meta-analysis. SF36-PCS (6.60 [95% CI, 4.91 to 8.28]; p<0.00001), SF36-MCS (6.33 [95% CI, 4.31 to 8.35]; p<0.00001) and SF36 dimensional (p<0.05) scores improved significantly at latest follow-up. Surgery significantly improved JOA/mJOA (3.43 [95% CI, 2.80 to 4.06]; p<0.00001) and NDI (−13.70 [95% CI, −17.35 to −10.06]; p<0.00001) scores also. Change in SF36-PCS score were correlated (r=−0.554) with change in NDI score, whereas change in SF36-MCS score was correlated with change in JOA score (r=0.550).ConclusionsSurgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy is associated with significantly improved SF36-measured patient-oriented outcomes.

Cross-Sectional Observational Study on Association of Polypharmacy With Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Hypertension

“…In addition, there was a lowered HRQoL score for patients with multi-morbidity. This is in line with previous studies [ 7 , 14 , 22 - 24 ] and is only logical, given that multiple medications would be required to treat a variety of conditions.…”

“…It is measured with the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0, adjusted for the Indian audience. This questionnaire has been shown to be effective and is widely used in both chronic conditions and general quality-of-life studies [ 21 , 24 , 26 ]. It is a generic questionnaire that measures eight concepts of health.…”

“…Previous studies have mostly shown a negative impact of polypharmacy on HRQoL, though they have all been conducted in other countries [7,14,[22][23][24]. There appears to be only one similar study conducted in India, that of Koshy et al, where the quality of life of psychiatric patients undergoing polypharmacy was contrasted with that of those undergoing monotherapy [25].…”

Effective Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia at the First Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve by High-Voltage Pulsed Radiofrequency

“…The SF-36 is a practical and widely-tested instrument for measuring health status and medical outcomes ( 26 ). SF36 was suitable for assessing the quality of life of patients with neuropathic pain ( 27 , 28 ) and was also often used to evaluate the quality of life of patients with PHN ( 24 ). The results of this study showed that patients in the H group had higher PCA, MCS scores at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment than in the C group ( P < 0.05).…”

Nonunion in Patients with Tibial Shaft Fractures: Is Early Physical Status Associated with Fracture Healing?

“…Furthermore, both trials had greater than 90% patient follow-up at one year. Second, our chosen measure of physical function is based on a ubiquitous health-related quality of life instrument, with documented validity, reliability, and responsiveness [20,22,25]. The reliability of the SF instruments is of particular importance for our current study, as the utility of a tool for predicting fracture healing is predicated on its widespread reproducibility.…”