P107. Are Modic changes associated with health-related quality of life after discectomy?

Abstract

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Previous studies have failed to show a clinically significant association between Modic changes (MCs) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after discectomy. PURPOSE To assess whether Modic changes (MCs) are associated with health-related quality of life, long-term physical disability, back or leg pain after discectomy. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING A registry-based comparative cohort study with two-year follow-up. PATIENT SAMPLE n=620. OUTCOME MEASURES PROs including ODI, EQ-5D, VAS back and leg pain and patient satisfaction were collected. METHODS Data from the Danish National Spine Registry on patients undergoing first-time lumbar discectomy at a single institution from 2014-17 with an accessible preoperative lumbar MRI, complete preoperative and two-year follow-up questionnaires were obtained. Patients were stratified based on the presence (+MC) or absence (-MC) of MCs on the preoperative MRI. RESULTS Of 620 patients included, MCs were present in 270 patients (47%). Of these, MC type 1 (MC-1) was present in 70 (25%) and MC type 2 (MC-2) in 210 (75%) patients. Preoperative data for ODI, EQ-5D, VAS-BP, and VAS-LP were comparable for the +MC and -MC groups. Both groups had a statistically significant improvement in PRO's from baseline compared to two-year follow-up (p CONCLUSIONS MCs were not found to be associated with health-related quality of life, disability, back- or leg pain or patient satisfaction two years after discectomy. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.