The article examined 388 consecutive patients with spinal disorders. The patients completed the Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale and Distress Risk Assessment Method. The researchers also used clinical variables, such as history of depression or chronic pain, along with the other outcomes measures to predict psychological distress.
The researchers found their model was 92 percent accurate and 92 percent sensitive in predicting the patients’ level of psychological distress. They found patients with VAS of four or five and ODI less than 45 without any psychotropic medications were likely members of the Normal group. Patients with VAS greater than 7 and taking anti-depressants or psychotropic medications, or had ODI greater than 58 and a history of prior surgery were more likely in the higher distressed categories.
According to the authors of the study, gauging the psychological distress of spine patients could target patients in distress that may benefit from counseling on realistic outcomes to improve overall treatment.
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