Factors Associated with 12-month Return to Work Following One-level Posterior Lumbar Fusion for Grade 1 Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: An Analysis of the Quality Outcomes Database

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Return to work (RTW) has become an increasingly important metric of spinal surgery success. Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a relatively common spinal pathology that may manifest as low back pain and/or leg pain, causing functional disability and hindering patients from working and performing activities of daily living. Currently, there is a lack of nationwide data evaluating RTW in lumbar spondylolisthesis. METHODS: We queried the Quality Outcomes Database for employed patients that underwent single-level posterior spinal fusion for Meyerding grade I degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. We compared cases who returned to work within 12 mo with regard to baseline demographics, comorbidities, clinical characteristics, and patient reported outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted for 12-mo RTW adjusting for an array of pre-and intraoperative variables. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients with available 12-mo follow-up data (84%) were analyzed. Median age was 57 yr (interquartile range: 51-60 yr) and 57% were females (n = 93). On multivariable analysis, patients that were working at the time of surgery were significantly more likely to RTWcompared to those that were not working (OR 4.62, 95% CI 1.42-15.07, P