Targeting earlier diagnosis: What symptoms come first in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common and disabling condition. Early effective treatment is limited by late diagnosis. Conventional descriptions of DCM focus on motor and sensory limb disability, however, recent work suggests the true impact is much broader. This study aimed to characterise the symptomatic presentation of DCM from the perspective of people with DCM and determine whether any of the reported symptoms, or groups of symptoms, were associated with early diagnosis.

Methods

An internet survey was developed, using an established list of patient-reported effects. Participants (N = 171) were recruited from an online community of people with DCM. Respondents selected their current symptoms and primary presenting symptom. The relationship of symp

SUBMITTER: Munro CF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10065274 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature