3211 IQ (Interesting Quote)
Printer Friendly Email a Friend PDF RSS Feed
Dynamic Chiropractic – July 30, 2005, Vol. 23, Issue 16

IQ (Interesting Quote)

By Editorial Staff
"Physicians predicted a 'great improvement' of quality of life after surgery for 79% and 'moderate' improvement for 20% ... despite clear average improvement, surgeons tended to give overly optimistic predictions that were not correlated with patient outcome at 1-year follow-up."

- Results from a recent study comparing physician predictions with outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for low back pain and sciatica.

According to the study, 56% of patients whose surgeons predicted "a great deal of improvement" reported no significant improvement in their health one year after surgery.

SOURCE: Graz B, Wietlisbach V, et al. Prognosis or "curabo effect?" Physician prediction and patient outcome of surgery for low back pain and sciatica. Spine, June 15, 2005;30(12):1448-52.

Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email .

To report inappropriate ads, click here.