The psychological burden of disease among patients undergoing cervical spine surgery: Are we underestimating our patients’ inherent disability?

Studies have utilized psychological questionnaires to identify the psychological distress among certain surgical populations. Is there an additional psychological burden among patients undergoing surgical treatment for their symptomatic degenerative cervical disease? Patients>18 years of age with symptomatic, degenerative cervical spine disease were included and prospectively enrolled. Correlations and multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the relationship between these mental health components (PCS, FABQ) and the severity of disability described by the NDI, EQ-5D, and mJOA score. Patient distress scores were compared to previously published benchmarks for other diagnoses. 47 patients were enrolled (age: 56.0 years,BMI: 29.7kg/m2). Increasing neck disability and decreasing EQ-5D were correlated with greater PCS and FABQ(all P