Relationships between stenosis severity, functional limitation, pain, and quality of life in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy

Background/aimThis study aims to examine the relationship between severity of stenosis, pain, functional limitation, disability, and quality of life in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Materials and methodsPatients (45 female, 19 male) with radiculopathy due to spondylotic changes in the cervical spine were included in the study. Stenosis severity (thecal sac cross-sectional area (CSA)), numbness, neck, and arm pain severity, functional limitation (Cervical radiculopathy impact scale), disability, and quality of life (EuroQol (EQ) five-dimensions-3-level general quality of life scale) were evaluated. ClinicalTrial number: NCT06001359ResultsAccording to CSA, 28 (43.75%) patients had severe stenosis, 36 (56.25%) had moderate stenosis, and the average CSA was 81.65±10.08. A positive correlation was found between neck and arm pain with neck disability (r=0.597; r=0.359), and a negative correlation was found with the quality of life scale index score and EQ-Visual analog scale (r=-0.787; r=-0.518). There was a significant positive correlation between cervical radiculopathy impact subscales with severity of stenosis, neck and arm pain, numbness, and disability (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between cervical radiculopathy impact subscales and quality of life (p<0.01). Also, stenosis severity was correlated with pain, neck disability, and quality of life (p<0.01).ConclusionThere is a direct relationship between cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and neck and arm pain, numbness, disability, and quality of life. Additionally, an increase in the severity of cervical stenosis is associated with an increase in pain and disability.