Browsing by Author "Zipser-Mohammadzada, Freschta"
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Publication The Frequency of Symptoms in Patients With a Diagnosis of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Results of a Scoping Review(2023) Jiang, Zhilin; Davies, Benjamin; Zipser, Carl; Margetis, Konstantinos; Martin, Allan; Matsoukas, Stavros; Zipser-Mohammadzada, Freschta; Kheram, Najmeh; Boraschi, Andrea; Zakin, Elina; Righteous, Oke; Fehlings, Michael; Wilson, Jamie; Yurac, Ratko; E Cook, Chad; Milligan, Jamie; Tabrah, Julia; Widdop, Shirley; Wood, Lianne; Roberts, Elizabeth; Rujeedawa, Tanzil; Tetreault, Lindsay; AO Spine RECODE-DCM Diagnostic Criteria IncubatorStudy 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.