A new study published in Spine examines how human characteristics affect outcomes for spinal fusion using bone morphogenetic protein-2.
The study uses data from the Yale Open Data Access Project which included 10 industry-sponsored randomized controlled trials of rhBMP-2. The researchers found:
1. Primary support for rhBMP-2 improving outcomes for patients in these categories:
· Smokers
· Younger patients under 60 years old
· Normal weight patients
2. The rhBMP-2 wasn’t associated with improved outcomes for patients in these groups:
· Non-smokers
· Patients older than 60 years old
· Obese
· Severely obese
3. There were decreased harms in patients without previous back surgery associated with rhBMP-2. However, patients who had previous spinal surgeries didn’t see the same improvements.
4. The researchers concluded patient characteristics could have an impact on outcomes for spinal fusions with rhBMP-2.
5. The study authors recommended additional research into the subgroups associated with better outcomes to identify patients who are most likely to benefit.
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