Volume 18, Issue 4 p. 555-567
LITERATURE REVIEW

Cervical spine radiculopathy epidemiology: A systematic review

Michael Mansfield

Corresponding Author

Michael Mansfield

School of Health and Social Care, Department of Allied Health Sciences. Pain Research Cluster; Ageing, Acute and Long Term Conditions Research Group., London South Bank University, London, UK

Correspondence

Michael Mansfield, School of Health and Social Care, Department of Allied Health Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK.

Email: michael.mansfield@lsbu.ac.uk

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Toby Smith

Toby Smith

Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, , Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

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Nicolas Spahr

Nicolas Spahr

Physiotherapy Department, Guy's and St Thomas Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Pain Section, Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK

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Mick Thacker

Mick Thacker

School of Health and Social Care, Department of Allied Health Sciences. Pain Research Cluster; Ageing, Acute and Long Term Conditions Research Group., London South Bank University, London, UK

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First published: 25 July 2020
Citations: 40

Abstract

Background and objective

Cervical spine radiculopathy (CSR) is a disabling condition that has significant negative impacts on a person's mental health, physical functioning and social participation. Research has reported variable CSR incidence and prevalence among different populations. To date, no systematic review has been completed investigating the prevalence or incidence of CSR; therefore, our objective was to determine the incidence and/or prevalence of CSR in adults.

Design and method

A systematic review was conducted including searches of PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE and CINAHL from inception to February 25, 2020. Studies including data on incidence and/or prevalence of CSR were included. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Hayden, Cote and Bombardier appraisal checklist. Data were analysed narratively.

Results

Nine low- to high-quality studies were included in the final review. Incidence ranged between 0.832 and 1.79 per 1,000 person-years from two high-quality and one low-quality study. Prevalence values ranged from 1.21 to 5.8 per 1,000 from four medium- to high-quality studies. Prevalence values of 1.14% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45–1.82] and 1.31% (95% CI: 0.66–1.96) for males and females, respectively, were reported from one medium-quality study. One medium-quality study reported an unadjusted prevalence value of 6.3% for males and females.

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review investigating the epidemiology of CSR in an adult population. This review reports a variable incidence rate and prevalence of CSR among specific populations; however, this was based on nine studies. There is a priority to investigate CSR epidemiology across other populations globally and standardising CSR diagnostic criteria.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There is no conflict of interests across all authors (M.M., T.S., N.S. and M.T.).

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