Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in the world.
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults 1).
It can be identified in the majority of people older than 50 years, and is widely prevalent in the population, estimated to affect 75% of the population older than 65 years 2).
The incidence of cervical spine degenerative disease has been rising owing to the increasing aging population.
Due to widespread underdiagnosis, the true incidence and prevalence of DCM is unknown. Current epidemiological studies quote the lifetime prevalence of DCM in the region of 0.5/1000 3).
1)
Kalsi-Ryan S, Karadimas SK, Fehlings MG. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: the clinical phenomenon and the current pathobiology of an increasingly prevalent and devastating disorder. Neuroscientist 2013;19:409–21.
2)
Rowland LP. Surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: time for a controlled trial. Neurology 1992;42:5–13.
3)
MacDonald BK, Cockerell OC, Sander JW, Shorvon SD. The incidence and lifetime
prevalence of neurological disorders in a prospective community-based study in
the UK. Brain. 2000 Apr;123 ( Pt 4):665-76. PubMed PMID: 10733998.