Life expectancy in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy is currently reduced but can be restored with timely treatment

Acta Neurochirurgica, 2023 · DOI: 10.1007/s00701-023-05515-8 · Published: March 1, 2023

Simple Explanation

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive spinal cord injury that is often undiagnosed and leads to long-term disabilities. Surgery is the main treatment, but its effectiveness depends on how early it is performed to prevent irreversible damage to the spinal cord. This study found that patients undergoing surgery for DCM have a reduced life expectancy, especially those with severe disability, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.

Study Duration

1994 to 2007 with a median follow-up of 15.3 years

Participants

357 patients undergoing surgery for DCM

Evidence Level

Case-control study

Key Findings

1
Patients undergoing surgery for DCM have a reduced life expectancy compared to the general population.
2
Severe DCM at the time of surgery is associated with a worse survival rate.
3
Age at the time of the operation is associated with a reduced observed survival.

Research Summary

This study investigates the impact of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) on life expectancy, comparing survival rates of DCM patients who underwent surgery with an age- and gender-matched cohort from the general population. The study reveals that patients with DCM have a reduced life expectancy compared to the general population, with severe DCM and older age at the time of surgery being significant factors. The findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment to reduce disability and potentially restore normal life expectancy in individuals with DCM.

Practical Implications

Raise Awareness

Increased awareness of DCM among the public and healthcare professionals is crucial for early diagnosis.

Improve Diagnosis

Implementation of structured healthcare pathways and improved access to MRI can reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Timely Treatment

Prompt surgical intervention can mitigate disability and potentially restore normal life expectancy for DCM patients.

Study Limitations

1
The analysis was restricted to complete datasets, with potentially important covariates for analysis unmeasured
2
Expected survival was estimated using national survival data, matching on age and gender alone.
3
The exact cause of death was not available for analysis; therefore, deaths related to DCM specifically cannot be delineated.

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