Lumbar spine surgery in Israeli Arabs and Jews: a comparative study with emphasis on pain perception.

BACKGROUND

Surgery for spinal stenosis is a frequent procedure in elderly patients. Presentation, hospital course, and outcome of disease including pain perception may vary among patients of different ethnic origin.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether differences in various medical indicators can explain differences in pain perception between two ethnic groups.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study on the experience of two spinal units treating a mixed Arab and Jewish population, and compared the data on 85 Arab and 189 Jewish patients undergoing spinal lumbar surgery.

RESULTS

Arab patients were younger (P = 0.027), less educated (P < 0.001), had a higher body mass index (P = 0.004) and included a higher proportion of diabetics (P = 0.013). Preoperative pain intensity (P = 0.023) and functional disability (P = 0.005) were more prominent, and factors associated with pre- or postoperative pain perception differed between the two ethnic groups. Despite these differences, results on follow-up were similar with respect to pain perception and level of disability.

CONCLUSIONS

A better understanding of ethnic differences is crucial for predicting surgery outcomes.