The study authors examined 7,547 patients from the Quality Outcomes Database who underwent degenerative lumbar surgery. Most — 82 percent — were smokers while the remaining 18 percent were nonsmokers. Study authors found:
1. The factors that were significantly associated with smokers were:
• Male sex
• Younger age
• BMI
• Educational status
• Insurance status
• Employment or occupation
2. Diabetic patients were less likely to be smokers while those with coronary artery disease were more likely smokers.
3. The patient’s smoking propensity associated with a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score as well as a higher baseline Oswestry Disability Index score.
4. The 12-month ODI scores were similar between smokers and non-smokers.
5. Study authors concluded their results suggested “interventions for modifiable risk factors are equally efficacious between smokers and nonsmokers.”
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