Prevalence of Cervical Spondylosis among Smokers: A Survey

Introduction Cervical spondylosis include degenerative changes in spine component including intervertebral discs, ligament flava and laminae, facet joint, symptoms include pain and stiffness in the neck, headache and numbness, weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet. Smoking accelerates spondylosis by impairing spinal tissue vascular supply through atherosclerosis and thrombosis, including local hypoxia, inflammation, proteolysis and cell loss. The purpose of this study was to co relate between smoking and cervical disc degeneration. Methods: People from few areas of karad were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Few special tests were performed on the selected individuals. With their informed consent, 74 smokers participated in this study, and result was obtained by statistician. Results: In the participants of sample size 74, Age group of above 50 yrs showed 85% spurlings test, 39% neck distraction test, 48% neck distraction test, 32% L`hermitte sign, Duration of smoking above 21yrs 80% spurlings test, 67% neck ditraction test, 47% L`hermitte sign, No of cigrattes/day 64% spurlings test, 48% neck distraction, 32% L`hermitte sign. Showing higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis in chronic smokers is very high. Conclusions: This study shows overall prevalence of cervical spondylosis in chronic smokers is high. Lack of awareness of harmful effects of smoking can cause increased risk for spinal degeneration.