DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000004797 ISSN:

The Predictive Potential of Nutritional and Metabolic Burden

Peter S. Tretiakov, Zach Thomas, Oscar Krol, Rachel Joujon-Roche, Tyler Williamson, Bailey Imbo, Pooja Dave, Kimberly McFarland, Jamshaid Mir, Shaleen Vira, Bassel Diebo, Andrew J. Schoenfeld, Peter G Passias
  • Neurology (clinical)
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort review

Objective:

To develop a scoring system for predicting increased risk of post-operative complications in ASD surgery based on baseline nutritional and metabolic factors.

Background:

Endocrine and metabolic conditions have been shown to adversely influence patient outcomes, and may increase the likelihood of post-operative complications. The impact of these conditions has not been effectively evaluated in patients undergoing adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.

Methods:

ASD patients ≥ 18 years with baseline (BL) and two-year (2Y) data were included. An internally cross-validated weighted equation using pre-operative laboratory and comorbidity data correlating to increased peri-operative complications was developed via Poisson regression. BMI categorization (normal, over/underweight, obese) and diabetes classification (normal, prediabetic, diabetic) were used per CDC and ADA parameters. A novel spine-specific metabolic burden score (ASD-NMBS) was calculated via Beta-Sullivan adjustment, and Conditional Inference Tree (CIT) determined score threshold for experiencing ≥1 complication. Cohorts were stratified into LOW and HIGH risk groups for comparison. Logistic regression assessed correlations between increasing burden score and complications.

Results:

201 ASD patients were included (mean age: 58.60±15.4, sex: 48% female, BMI: 29.95±14.31, CCI: 3.75± 2.40). Significant factors were determined to be: age (+1/year), hypertension (+18), peripheral vascular disease (+37), smoking status (+21), anemia (+1), VitD hydroxyl (+1 per ng/mL), BMI (+13/cat), and diabetes (+4/cat) (model: P<.001, AUC: 92.9%). CIT determined scores above 175 correlated with ≥ 1 post-op complication (P<.001). Furthermore, HIGH patients reported higher rates of post-operative cardiac complications (P=.045), and were more likely to require reoperation (P=.024) compared to LOW patients.

Conclusions:

Development of a validated novel nutritional and metabolic burden score (ASD-NMBS) demonstrated that patients with higher scores are at greater risk of increased post-operative complications and course. As such, surgeons should consider reduction of nutritional and metabolic burden pre-operatively to enhance outcomes and reduce complications in ASD patients.

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