The Frequency of Symptoms in Patients With a Diagnosis of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Results of a Scoping Review Journal Articles uri icon

  •  
  • Overview
  •  
  • Research
  •  
  • Identity
  •  
  • Additional Document Info
  •  
  • View All
  •  

abstract

  • Study Design Delayed diagnosis of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is associated with reduced quality of life and greater disability. Developing diagnostic criteria for DCM has been identified as a top research priority. Objectives This scoping review aims to address the following questions: What is the diagnostic accuracy and frequency of clinical symptoms in patients with DCM? Methods A scoping review was conducted using a database of all primary DCM studies published between 2005 and 2020. Studies were included if they (i) assessed the diagnostic accuracy of a symptom using an appropriate control group or (ii) reported the frequency of a symptom in a cohort of DCM patients. Results This review identified three studies that discussed the diagnostic accuracy of various symptoms and included a control group. An additional 58 reported on the frequency of symptoms in a cohort of patients with DCM. The most frequent and sensitive symptoms in DCM include unspecified paresthesias (86%), hand numbness (82%) and hand paresthesias (79%). Neck and/or shoulder pain was present in 51% of patients with DCM, whereas a minority had back (19%) or lower extremity pain (10%). Bladder dysfunction was uncommon (38%) although more frequent than bowel (23%) and sexual impairment (4%). Gait impairment is also commonly seen in patients with DCM (72%). Conclusion Patients with DCM present with many different symptoms, most commonly sensorimotor impairment of the upper extremities, pain, bladder dysfunction and gait disturbance. If patients present with a combination of these symptoms, further neuroimaging is indicated to confirm the diagnosis of DCM.

authors

  • Jiang, Zhilin
  • Davies, Benjamin
  • Zipser, Carl
  • Margetis, Konstantinos
  • Martin, Allan
  • Matsoukas, Stavros
  • Zipser-Mohammadzada, Freschta
  • Kheram, Najmeh
  • Boraschi, Andrea
  • Zakin, Elina
  • Obadaseraye, Oke Righteous
  • Fehlings, Michael G
  • Wilson, Jamie
  • Yurac, Ratko
  • Cook, Chad E
  • Milligan, James
  • Tabrah, Julia
  • Widdop, Shirley
  • Wood, Lianne
  • Roberts, Elizabeth A
  • Rujeedawa, Tanzil
  • Tetreault, Lindsay

publication date

  • May 2024