Accuracy of prognostic scores in decision making and predicting outcomes in metastatic spine disease
Abstrakt
Management of metastatic spinal disease has changed significantly over the last few years. Different prognostic scores are used in clinical practice for predicting survival.
The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of prognostic scores and the role of delayed presentation in predicting the outcome in patients with metastatic spine disease. Retrospectively, four years of data were collected (2007-2010).
Medical records review included type of tumour, duration of symptoms, expected survival and functional status. The Karnofsky performance score was used for functional assessment.
Modified Tokuhashi and Tomita scores were used for survival prediction. The prognostic scoring systems are not uniformly effective in all types of primary tumours.
However, they are useful in decision making for surgical intervention, taking other factors into account, in particular the age of the patient, the type and stage of the primary tumour and general health.