Simple Prediction of Reasonable Lumbar Lordosis Based on Patient's Postoperative Quality of Life Score
Abstract Background: Scarce information exists on the relationship between lumbar lordosis (LL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after lumbar surgery. The aim of this study was to derive a predictive equation for lordosis using pelvic incidence and to establish a simple lumbar lordosis prediction method to improve the quality of life after surgery.Methods: A number of 146 patients with lumbar surgery were included in the study. Spinopelvic parameters and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured at the final follow-up. At the 75th percentile cut-off value, patients with ODI were assigned to a good HRQOL group. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between parameters and ODI, and simple linear regression analysis was conducted to deduce the predictive equation for the recovery of reasonable LL by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).Results: In the good HRQOL group, we included 108 patients with an ODI score less than 29 (75% cut-off value) at the last follow-up. All patients had had completed their posterior lumbar interbody fusion (L4-S1) by the same experienced surgeon. Multiple regression analysis revealed that LL (P < 0.001) was significantly associated with ODI as radiological parameters. The close relationship between PI and LL is highly evident from the value of the regression coefficient (r = 0.765, P < 0.001). Based on the correlation established between the above parameters, the following prediction equation for PI and LL was derived: LL = 0.59 × PI + 12 (r = 0.765, P < 0.001). Conclusions: This simple calculation method can provide a more effective and simple prediction of lumbar lordosis in the Chinese population. This approach can be used as a decision-making tool for restoring LL in lumbar correction surgery and plays an important role in improving the quality of life of patients after lumbar surgery.