Prevalence of cervical spondylosis and associated factors among symptomatic adult patients at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia 2023

Background Cervical spondylosis (CS) is an age related degenerative musculoskeletal condition that causes neck pain, radiculopathy, and myelopathy-associated paralysis. Objectives To determine the prevalence of CS and identify associated risk factors among symptomatic adult patients. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital between May and December 2022. Records of patients with spondylosis from January 2020 to January 2022 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria: confirmed CS with complete clinical and imaging data. Patients with incomplete records, acute trauma, or congenital, neoplastic, idiopathic, circulatory, or metabolic disorders were excluded. Results Of 2176 patients with spondylosis, 339 records were considered. Females accounted for 55.8% ( n = 189), and males 44.2% ( n = 150), with a mean age of 54.9 ± 10.04 years. Lumbar spondylosis was most prevalent (58.7%), followed by cervical (28.6%), combined cervical–lumbar (11.8%), and thoracic (0.9%). Multivariate analysis revealed higher CS risk among females ( p = 0.003) and patients aged 40–59 years ( p < 0.001). Smoking (AOR = 2.02) and alcohol consumption ( p < 0.001) were also significant predictors. Conclusion CS prevalence in this study exceeded earlier reports. Risk increased with age, was greater among women, and was amplified by smoking and alcohol consumption.