Psychological distress does not compromise outcome in spinal surgery.

Summary of background data. Physical outcomes following surgery for degenerative spine disease have been well studied whereas the importance of psychological factors has only recently been acknowledged. Previous studies suggest that pre-operative psychological distress predicts poor outcome from spinal surgery. In the drive to identify patients who will not benefit, these patients risk being denied surgery. Study design. This is a prospective series from a spinal surgical register. Aim. The study examines the relationship between the physical symptoms, pre-operative psychological distress and outcome following surgery. Methods. The Short Form 36 (SF36) Health Survey Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered to patients undergoing elective surgery for degenerative spine disease pre-operatively and at 3 and 12 months post-operatively. Levels of physical disability (SF-36 physical functioning (SF36PF) and bodily pain (SF36BP) scores) and psychological distress (HADS...