Objective:

To assess differences in PROMs between patients who do and do not follow-up through 2-years following lumbar fusion.

Methods:

Primary, elective, single-level ALIF, LLIF, or TLIF procedures were identified. Patients were grouped by 2-year PROM follow-up completion. Mean and delta PROM scores for VAS back and leg, ODI, SF-12 PCS and MCS were computed for both groups preoperatively and postoperatively. MCID achievement was determined for PROM scores using established threshold values. Linear and logistic regression assessed mean and ΔPROM scores as predictors of 2-year follow-up completion and to compared MCID achievement between groups, respectively.

Results:

316 lumbar fusion patients were included. PROM scores were more favorable for complete follow-up patients for 6-month VAS back (p=0.003), 6-months and 1-year ODI (p≤0.027, both), and 6-weeks and 6-months SF-12 PCS (p≤0.015, both). 6-month VAS back (p=0.007), 6-months and 1-year ODI (p≤0.028, both), 6-weeks, 6-months, and 1-year SF-12 PCS (p≤0.041, all), and 6-weeks SF-12 MCS (p≤0.028, both) significantly predicted 2-year follow-up. ΔPROMs significantly differed between groups at 1-year for ΔVAS leg (p=0.029), ΔODI (p=0.013), and ΔSF-12 MCS (p=0.004). 1-year ΔVAS leg (p=0.035), ΔODI (p=0.011), and ΔSF-12 MCS (p=0.003) significantly predicted follow-up. MCID achievement for ΔPROMs significantly differed between groups for 6-week VAS leg (p=0.035), overall ODI (p=0.034), and SF-12 PCS from 12-weeks through 1-year (p≤0.011, all) and overall (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Patients with full follow-up demonstrated significantly more favorable outcome scores and improvement in pain, disability, and physical function at several postoperative time points.