Measuring health in patients with cervical and lumbosacral spinal disorders: Is the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey a valid alternative for the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey?

Objectives: To determine the convergent, validity of: the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF-12v2), with 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, version 2 (SF-36v2), in patients with spinal disorders, and to determine other key factors that might further explain the variances between the 2 surveys. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Orthopedic ambulatory care. participants: Eligible participants (N = 98; 24 with cervical, 74 With lumbosacral disorders) who were aged 18 years and older, scheduled to Undergo spinal surgery, and completed the SF-36v2. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: SF-36v2 and SF-12v2 (extracted from the SF-36v2). Results: The 2 summary scores, physical and mental component score,, (r range, .88-.97), and most of the scale scores (r range, .81-.99) correlated strongly between the SF-12v2 and SF-36v2, except for the general health score (cervical group, r = .69; lumbosacral group, r = .76). Stepwise linear regression analyses showed the SF-12v2 general health scores (cervical: beta = .61, P<.001; lumbosacral: beta = .68, P<.001) and the level of comorbidities, (cervical: beta = -.37. P = .014; lumbosacral: P = .039) were significant predictors of the SF-36v2 general health score in both groups, Whereas (beta = .32, P<.001) and smoking history (beta = -.22, P = .005) were additional predictors in the lumbosacral group. Conclusions: SF-1.2v2 is a practical and valid alternative for the SF-36v2 in measuring health of patients with cervical or lumbosacral spinal disorders. The validity of the SF-12v2 general health score interpretation is further improved when the level of comorbidities, age, and smoking history are taken into consideration.