The patterns of clinical presentations of cervical spondylosis among adult Sudanese patients

Abstract

Abstract Background : Cervical spondylosis (CS) is a common degenerative condition of the cervical spine. It causes pain and disability by compressing the spinal cord or roots. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to study the pattems of clinical presentation and demographic distribution of cervical spondylosis among Sudanese patients. Methods: This is a retrospective and prospective clinic based cross- sectional study. A total of 353 adult Sudanese patients with cervical spondylosis were included in the study during the period from January 2008-August 2010. Results The result showed that (52%) of patients, aged less than 50 years and (3%) were less than 25 years. female to male ratio was 1.25:1. CS affects females in earlier ages than males. Numbness and tingling sensation of hands, feet and/or ankles was the most common symptom (21%) followed by neck pain (19%). Brisk reflexes (16%) and positive Babiniski signs (14%) were the most common clinical findings. lower cervical levels C5-C6 (38%), C4-C5 (20%), C6-C7 (18%) were affected more with spondylotic changes than upper levels (2%). vertigo is a significant complain associated with the upper cervical lesions_ NSAIDs are reliable conservative measure in relieving CS symptoms. Conclusion: Cervical spondylosis is very common in Sudan. Its prevalence increased among younger age groups with female predominance which indicating that there are some risk factors which are somewhat different from the developed nations and which may lead to early clinical manifestation. The presentation, clinical and radiological findings were not different from reported literatures. Key words: cervical spondylosis, cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy.