Prognostic Factors for Recovery of Patients After Surgery for Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic spinal tuberculosis (TST) is a dangerous disease. Besides antituberculosis chemotherapy, surgery is also necessary for treating TST. To date, no study has focused on the prognostic factors for recovery of patients after surgery for TST.

METHODS: From 2001-2016, 237 patients who underwent surgery for TST in our department were included in this study. Japanese Orthopedic Association score was used to assess recovery after surgery. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were employed to identify the significant prognostic factors.

RESULTS: Univariate analysis demonstrated that diabetes, paralysis, kyphosis, duration of symptoms (≥3/<3 months), and number of involved vertebrae (>2/≤2) were identified as potential prognostic factors responsible for recovery after surgery for TST. Multivariate analysis suggested that paralysis, duration of symptoms (≥3/<3 months), and number of involved vertebrae (>2/≤2) were identified as the significant prognostic factors responsible for recovery after surgery for TST.

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the previously published evidence that nonparalysis, shorter duration of symptoms, and fewer involved vertebrae are favorable prognostic factors for recovery after surgery for TST. For a better recovery effect, the key points for treating TST were timely diagnosis and treatment. It is urgent for government to arouse attention and popularize the knowledge of spinal tuberculosis.