Insurance types are correlated with baseline patient-reported outcome measures in patients with adult spinal...

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly recognized as a key component of healthcare value, allowing comparison of therapeutic impact across different specialties. Prior literature suggests that insurance type may be associated with differing baseline PROMs among patients with degenerative conditions, including lumbar stenosis and hip arthritis. This association, however, has not been investigated for adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Baseline PROMs were reviewed from 207 patients with ASD presenting for treatment between 2015 and 2019. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function Short Form 10a (PF10a), PROMIS Global-Mental, PROMIS Global-Physical, and visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain were assessed. Negative binomial regression was used to determine the impact of sociodemographic factors, including insurance type, on severity of symptoms and degree of disability at baseline.

Mean age of the study population was 62.2 +/- 15 years, with 61.8 % male prevalence. The Medicaid population had a greater proportion of Hispanic and non-English speaking patients, compared to commercially insured patients. Medicaid insured patients had significantly greater VAS low back pain scores compared with commercially insured individuals (IRR 1.535, 95 % CI 1.122-2.101, p = 0.007).

Medicaid insured patients demonstrated worse baseline PROMs at presentation with ASD, as compared to commercially insured or Medicare patients. Stakeholders across spine care delivery should elucidate the etiology of baseline disparities in ASD patients, as they may result from health system asymmetries. In an ecosystem moving toward value-driven treatment algorithms, accounting for and addressing these differences will be necessary to provide equitable care for ASD populations.