Two-Year Clinical and Radiological Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes Undergoing Single-Level Anterior Cervical...

Area of Science:

• Spine surgery outcomes
• Diabetic patient management
• Degenerative disc disease treatment

Background:

• Limited studies compare ACDF outcomes in diabetic vs. non-diabetic patients.
• Diabetes may impact surgical recovery and fusion rates.
• Understanding ACDF efficacy in diabetics is crucial for patient selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare 24-month radiological and clinical outcomes of ACDF in patients with and without diabetes.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of i-FACTOR or local autologous bone in both cohorts.
• Assess the impact of diabetes on recovery after single-level ACDF.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized, controlled FDA investigational device exemption study.
• 319 patients with single-level DDD underwent ACDF between 2006-2013.
• Cohorts were defined by the presence or absence of diabetes; outcomes included fusion rates, neurological status, NDI, VAS, and SF-36v2 scores.

Main Results:

• 35 patients (11.1%) had diabetes; average BMI was 32.99 kg/m².
• Nondiabetic smokers (25.70%) outnumbered diabetic smokers (8.57%).
• Baseline NDI, VAS arm, and SF-36v2 scores were similar; VAS neck pain differed (P=.0089). Maximum improvement in NDI, VAS, and SF-36v2 scores occurred at 6 months and was sustained to 24 months in both groups.

Conclusions:

• ACDF demonstrates effectiveness for cervical radiculopathy in patients with diabetes.
• Diabetes is not a contraindication for single-level ACDF surgery.
• Radiological and clinical outcomes are comparable between diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing ACDF.