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Objective. The coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic has facilitated the emergence of telerehabilitation, but it is unclear which patients are most likely to respond to physical therapy provided this way. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between individual patient factors and substantial clinical benefit from telerehabilitation among a cohort of patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods. This is a secondary analysis of data collected during a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Patients with chronic LBP (N = 98) were provided with a standardized physical therapy protocol adapted for telerehabilitation. We examined the relationship between patient factors and substantial clinical benefit with telerehabilitation, defined as a [greater than or equal to]50% improvement in disability at 10 weeks, measured using the Oswestry Disability Index. Results. Sixteen (16.3%) patients reported a substantial clinical benefit from telerehabilitation. Patients reporting substantial clinical benefit from telerehabilitation had lower initial pain intensity, lower psychosocial risk per the STarT Back Screening Tool, higher levels of pain self-efficacy, and reported higher therapeutic alliance with their physical therapist compared to other patients. Conclusion. Patients with lower psychosocial risk and higher pain-self efficacy experienced substantial clinical benefit from telerehabilitation for chronic LBP more often than other patients in our cohort. Therapeutic alliance was higher among patients who experienced a substantial clinical benefit compared to those who did not. Impact. This study indicates that psychosocial factors play an important role in the outcomes of patients receiving telerehabilitation for chronic LBP. Baseline psychosocial screening may serve as a method for identifying patients likely to benefit from this approach. Keywords: Patient-Centered Care, Precision Medicine, Risk Factors, Telemedicine, Introduction During the early phases of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, state and federal policies were modified, allowing many physical therapists in the United States to begin providing care through [...]

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between goal attainment and patient-reported outcomes in patients who engaged in a 6-session, telephone-based, cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy (CBPT) intervention after spine surgery. Methods. In this secondary analysis of a randomized trial, data from 112 participants (mean age = 63.3 [SD = 11.2] years; 57 [51%] women) who attended at least 2 CBPT sessions (median = 6 [range = 2-6]) were examined. At each session, participants set weekly goals and used goal attainment scaling (GAS) to report goal attainment from the previous session. The number and type of goals and percentage of goals met were tracked. An individual GAS t score was computed across sessions. Participants were categorized based on goals met as expected (GAS t score [greater than or equal to] 50) or goals not met as expected (GAS t score < 50). Six- and 12-month outcomes included disability (Oswestry Disability Index), physical and mental health (12-Item Short-Form Health Survey), physical function (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System), pain interference (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System), and back and leg pain intensity (numeric rating scale). Outcome differences over time between groups were examined with mixed-effects regression. Results. Participants set a median of 3 goals (range = 1-6) at each session. The most common goal categories were recreational/physical activity (36%), adopting a CBPT strategy (28%), exercising (11%), and performing activities of daily living (11%). Forty-eight participants (43%) met their goals as expected. Participants who met their goals as expected had greater physical function improvement at 6 months (estimate = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.0 to 6.5) and 12 months (estimate = 2.8; 95% CI = 0.04 to 5.6). No other outcome differences were noted. Conclusions. Goal attainment within a CBPT program was associated with 6- and 12-month improvements in postoperative physical functioning. Impact. This study highlights goal attainment as an important rehabilitation component related to physical function recovery after spine surgery. Keywords: Arthrodesis, Back Pain, Postoperative Care, Psychotherapy, Rehabilitation, Introduction Patient-centered goal setting is a core behavioral component of rehabilitation programs, where individuals, in collaboration with a health care provider, identify and set meaningful goals based on what is [...]

Purpose: Few studies have explored the association between preoperative patient-reported measures and chronic opioid use following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. We sought to explore the association between preoperative duration of pain, as well as other patient-reported factors, and chronic opioid use after ASD surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our U.S. academic tertiary care hospital’s database of ASD patients. We included patients 18 years or older who underwent arthrodesis of four or more spinal levels from January 2008 to February 2018, with 2-year follow-up. The primary outcome variable was chronic opioid use, defined as opioid use at both 1 and 2 years postoperatively. We analyzed patient characteristics; duration of preoperative pain (&lt;4 years or ≥4 years); radiculopathy; preoperative Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) score; Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) value; and surgical characteristics. Results: Of 119 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 93 (78%) were women, and mean ± standard deviation age was 59 ± 13. Sixty patients (50%) reported preoperative opioid use, and 35 (29%) reported chronic opioid use. Preoperative opioid use was associated with higher odds of chronic use (adjusted odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval 1.6–21), as was preoperative pain duration of ≥4 years (adjusted odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval 1.1–9.8). Patient characteristics, surgical variables, ODI value, and SRS-22r score were not significantly associated with chronic postoperative opioid use. Conclusion: Preoperative opioid use and duration of pain of ≥4 years were associated with higher odds of chronic opioid use after ASD surgery. Level of Evidence: III.

Objectives. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) quantifies the extent to which people are informed about and involved in their health care. Objectives were to determine the psychometric properties of PAM among multimorbid older adults and evaluate a theoretical, four-stage model of patient activation. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis was used to assess the psychometric properties of PAM. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach [alpha]. Construct validity was evaluated using general linear modeling to compute associations between PAM scores and health-related behaviors, functional status, and health care quality. Latent class analysis was used to evaluate the theoretical four-stage structure of patient activation. Study Setting. Participants in a randomized trial of Guided Care (N=855), a model of comprehensive health care for older adults with chronic conditions that put them at risk of using health services heavily during the coming year. Principal Findings. Higher PAM activation scores and stage were positively associated with higher functional status, health care quality, and adherence to some health behaviors. Latent class analysis supported the multistage theory of patient activation. Conclusions. The PAM is a reliable, valid, and potentially clinically useful measure of patient activation for multimorbid older adults. Key Words. Patient activation, serf-management, chronic conditions, The U.S. health care system is about to be confronted with a newer and larger generation of older patients than experienced previously (Committee on the Future Health Care Workforce of [...]

Study design: Retrospective cohort. Objectives: To compare postoperative functional improvement in patients who underwent staged versus non-staged anterior–posterior spinal arthrodesis for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Summary of background data: In patients with ASD, spinal arthrodesis can be performed in 2 stages to avoid the physiologic insult of a lengthy surgery. The association between staged surgery and postoperative functional improvement has not been well studied. Methods: We included 87 patients (59 women) with ASD who underwent anterior–posterior spinal arthrodesis of > 5 levels with fixation to the pelvis from 2010–2014. Primary outcomes were the frequency of achieving at least a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) Activity domain and the timeframe in which it was achieved. The secondary outcome was patient satisfaction (SRS-22r Patient Satisfaction domain). A Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare functional improvement over time between staged and non-staged groups. Our study was powered to detect a relative hazard ratio of 0.53, β= 0.20. α= 0.05. Results: The frequency of achieving an MCID in SRS-22r Activity score did not differ significantly between the staged group (33/41 patients) and the non-staged group (34/46 patients) (hazard ratio 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.41–1.36). Median times to achieving an MCID in SRS-22r Activity score were 191 days (interquartile range: 86–674) in the staged group and 181 days (interquartile range: 72–474) in the non-staged group (p= .75). The staged and non-staged groups had similar SRS-22r Patient Satisfaction scores at 3–9 months postoperatively and at final follow-up (both, p> .05). Conclusion: Patients with ASD who underwent staged anterior–posterior spinal arthrodesis within 3 months after index surgery were similarly likely to experience functional improvement in the same timeframe as patients who underwent non-staged surgery. Patient satisfaction did not differ significantly between staged and non-staged groups. Level of evidence: III.

To investigate the associations of sociodemographic characteristics and PROMIS domain scores with patient activation among patients presenting for spine surgery at a university-affiliated spine center.

Study Design retrospective study.Objective To investigate the incidence of all-cause revision surgery between plated vs stand-alone cage constructs for single level ACDF.Methods We retrospectively analyzed a commercial insurance claims database. Patients 18–65 years-old were included if they underwent single-level inpatient ACDF (defined with CPT codes) from 2010 – 2018, with a minimum of 2-year continuous insurance enrollment. The primary independent variable was the use of anterior plating vs zero profile device or stand-alone cage. Synthetic (ie, metal, PEEK, etc.) vs allograft interbody was a secondary independent variable. The primary outcome variable was revision cervical arthrodesis after the index operation.Results In total, 21092 patients undergoing single-level inpatient ACDF were included. 10.0% received a stand-alone cage during the index operation. Mean follow-up duration was 4.5 years. Revision arthrodesis occurred in 8.2% of patients overall, at a mean of 2.4 years after the index surgery. Patients with anterior plating had a lower rate of all-cause revision surgery in unadjusted (overall rate 8.1% vs 9.6%, P= 0.0185) and adjusted analysis (OR 0.78, P= 0.0016) vs stand-alone cages. Patients with stand-alone cages had higher rates of revision with a posterior approach than did patients with plated constructs. In sub-analysis, the combination of a stand-alone interbody device with an allograft had significantly higher odds of revision than other combinations of devices.Conclusion Among commercially insured patients ≤65 years-old undergoing single-level ACDF, anterior plating was associated with a reduced incidence of revision surgery compared to stand-alone cages within the follow up period of our study.

Study Design: Retrospective review of an administrative database.Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of spending for the entire episode of care among nonelderly, commercially insured patients undergoing elective, inpatient anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries for degenerative cervical pathology.Methods: Using a private insurance claims database, we identified patients who underwent single-level, inpatient ACDF for degenerative spinal disease. Patients were selected using a combination of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. Entire episode of care was defined as 6-months before (preoperative) to 6 months after (postoperative) the surgical admission.Results: In our cohort containing 33 209 patients, perioperative median spending per patient (MSPP) within the year encompassing surgery totaled $37 020 (interquartile range [IQR] $28 363-$49 206), with preoperative, surgical admission, and postoperative spending accounting for 9.8%, 80.7%, and 9.5% of total spending, respectively. Preoperatively, MSPP was $3109 (IQR $1806-$5215), 48% of patients underwent physical therapy, and 31% underwent injections in the 6 months period prior to surgery. Postoperatively, MSPP was $1416 (IQR $398-$3962), and unplanned hospital readmission (6% incidence) accounted for 33% of the overall postoperative spending. Discharge to a nonhome discharge disposition was associated with higher postoperative spending ($14 216) compared with patients discharged home ($1468) and home with home care ($2903), P< .001.Conclusion: Understanding the elements and distribution of perioperative spending for the episode of care in patients undergoing ACDF surgery for degenerative conditions is important for health care planning and resource allocation.

A retrospective review.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased complications; however, its role in symptom severity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among spine patients is unknown. We determined 1) prevalence of preoperative CI; 2) associations between CI and preoperative pain, disability, and HRQoL; and 3) association between CI and postoperative improvements in HRQoL.

Prospective survey.

•Psychological distress compounds negative effects of COVID-19 on pain and HRQoL.•Patient activation is protective from COVID-19 effects on pain and HRQoL.•Providers should screen for psychological distress and patient activation.•Enhanced patient supports to manage pain are needed for at-risk patients.•Enhanced patient supports to maintain HRQoL are needed for at-risk patients.

Study Design: Retrospective comparison. Objective: To compare complications and radiographic and functional outcomes of patients undergoing revision spinal deformity surgery, who were 40-64 years of age and 65 years of age or older. Summary of Background Data: The effect of age on radiographic and functional outcomes has not been well established in the literature for patients undergoing revision adult deformity surgery. The hypothesis was that the complications and radiographic and functional outcomes of younger and older adult patients would be comparable. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data on 109 consecutive patients (84 women and 25 men) undergoing revision spinal deformity surgery who were 40 years of age or older. All surgeries were performed at 1 institution by the senior author. Patients were divided into groups based on age: younger than 65 years of age (70 patients) or 65 years of age or older (39 patients), and complications and radiographic and functional outcomes were compared. All patients had at least 2 years’ clinical follow-up. Hotelling’s t2test and the X2test were used to compare differences; statistical significance was set at p &lt;.05. Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in major complications (p =.62), minor complications (p =.34), or reoperation rate (p =.08). Major correction was achieved in the coronal and sagittal planes in both groups after surgery. By final follow-up, patients in both groups had significant improvements from baseline in Oswestry disability index (p &lt;.05) and in all Scoliosis Research Society—22 domains (p &lt;.001); there was no significant difference in any domain score between groups (p >.05). Conclusions: Older adult patients undergoing revision deformity correction surgery achieved functional outcome benefits comparable to those in younger adults without significantly more complications. Surgeons should be aware of these factors when counseling patients regarding revision surgery for deformity correction.

Retrospective review.

Prospective cohort study.

HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is triggered by immune activation of brain cells and remain prevalent during progressive viral infection despite antiretroviral therapy. Cathepsins and cystatins are lysosomal proteins secreted by macrophages and microglia, and may play important roles in neuroregulatory responses. Our laboratory has shown increased secretion and neurotoxicity of cathepsin B from in-vitro HIV-infected monocyte-derived macrophages, and increased expression in postmortem brain tissue with HIV encephalitis and HAND. We hypothesized that cystatin B and cathepsin B could represent potential biomarkers for HAND.

Stenosis and kyphosis are common in achondroplasia, often requiring lumbar fusion, sometimes to the sacrum. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional effect of lumbar fusion to the sacrum in patients with achondroplasia.

BACKGROUND The identification of biomarkers identifying onset of human immunodeficiency virus–associated dementia (HIV-D) is critical for diagnosis and the elucidation of pathophysiologic pathways. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between platelet decline from baseline and HIV-D. DESIGN Prospective cohort study within the North-East AIDS Dementia cohort. SETTING Four participating referral centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS A total of 396 subjects with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection recruited between 1998 and 2003 and undergoing serial neurologic assessments. Eligibility criteria required CD4 cell counts less than 200/μL or less than 300/μL with evidence of cognitive impairment. A cohort subset without prevalent HIV-D at baseline and without incident HIV-D at the visit immediately after baseline was analyzed (n = 146). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Time to first diagnosis of HIV-D. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 31.1 months, 40 subjects developed HIV-D. Platelet decline from baseline was associated with the development of HIV-D when examined as a time-dependent variable lagged by 6 to 12 months before outcome (multivariate hazard ratio [HR], 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-5.02; P = .02). This association was stronger during the first 2 years of follow-up (multivariate HR, 6.76; 95% CI, 2.36-19.41; P &lt; .001) than during later years (multivariate HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.33-2.67; P = .90). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that individuals with declining platelet counts are at greater risk for HIV-D and that the dynamics of circulating platelets vary with respect to the temporal progression of HIV-D. This highlights an avenue to be explored in the understanding of HIV-D pathogenesis.Arch Neurol. 2007;64(9):1264-1272 --

The etiology of genu varum in achondroplasia is the subject of much speculation. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between fibular overgrowth and genu varum in achondroplasia. A retrospective analysis was performed on the long-leg radiographs of 48 pediatric patients with achondroplasia. All patients were skeletally immature, and the average age was 7.7 years (range, 3-16 years). Boys were significantly more likely to have varus mechanical tibiofemoral angles than girls (Fisher exact test, P= 0.038 for the right leg and P= 0.008 for the left leg). The distance from the proximal and distal fibula to the proximal tibia knee and ankle joint orientation lines, respectively, was not associated with the alignment of the lower extremity. We conclude that fibular overgrowth does not correlate with the severity of genu varum.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of neurologic disease on length of stay and total hospital charges for hospitalizations related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. DESIGN: Review of all HIV-related hospitalizations from all acute nonfederal hospitals in Maryland in 1991 and 1992. Neurologic status and HIV disease status were determined by codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, in an administrative database. Total hospital charges and length of stay were also included in this database. RESULTS: Of 12 128 HIV-related hospitalizations (6013 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS], 308 HIV-seropositive patients with symptoms without AIDS, and 5807 HIV-seropositive patients without symptoms), neurologic disease occurred in 1013 (8.4%), predominantly in patients with AIDS. In all HIV-seropositive patients, those with primary neurologic disease had a longer mean (±SD) length of stay (16.4±16.5 days vs 9.3±11.3 days; P&lt;.001) and higher mean (±SD) total charges ($12 733±$12009 vs $8069±$11 247; P&lt;.001) than those without neurologic disease. In patients with AIDS, those with primary neurologic disease also had a longer mean (±SD) length of stay (17.2±17.2 days vs 11.7±12.7 days; P&lt;.001) and higher mean (±SD) total charges ($13 430±$12 470 vs $10 794±$13 537; P&lt;.001) than those without neurologic disease. After adjustment for age, sex, race, and stage of HIV infection in all HIV-seropositive patients, our results indicated that neurologic disease increased the length of stay by 3.3 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-3.8) and total charges by $2552 (95% CI, $2111-$2993). After adjustment for age, sex, and race in discharged patients with AIDS, the results showed that neurologic disease increased length of stay by 2.24 days (95% CI, 0.73-3.77) and total charges by $1512 (95% CI, $40-$2894). CONCLUSION: Neurologic disease increases the length of stay and total hospital charges of HIV-infected patients.

Fractures of the cervical spine after blunt cervical trauma are associated with high rates of patient mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate patient and fracture characteristics that predict mortality. This is a retrospective, case cohort study of all adult patients admitted to our institution between January 1998 and June 2008 with cervical fracture after blunt cervical trauma (N218). All patient records were reviewed. The patient and fracture characteristics and outcome data were stored. Age (P0.002), involvement of the fourth cervical vertebra (P0.002), lamina fracture (P0.001), and a facet fracture (P0.006) were identified as independent significant risk factors for mortality. In conclusion, mortality is highly affected by patient age, but fracture location and fracture pattern are also predictive of poor patient outcome. Fracture patterns may increase the risk of spinal cord injury at a level that can affect but not eliminate neural control of the diaphragm, which have the worst prognosis for patient mortality.