The Association Between Cervical Radiculopathy and Quality of Life in Patients With Cervical Spondylosis

Objectives: To determine the association between cervical radiculopathy and quality of life (QoL) in patients with cervical spondylosis. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on ۲۷۳ patients in five hospitals in Lahore within ۳ months from April to June ۲۰۲۱. The Spurling test was used to measure cervical radiculopathy. The participants were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The Spurling test was used to measure cervical radiculopathy and its symptoms. The World Health Organization quality of life scale (WHOQoL) was used to evaluate the QoL of patients suffering from cervical spondylosis.  Results: Of ۲۷۳ patients, ۴۲.۹% were male and ۵۷.۱% female. Their Mean±SD age was ۴۲±۱۱.۹ years. Also, ۷۰.۳% had positive Spurling test, and ۲۹.۷% had negative results. Their Mean±SD physical health score was ۱۱.۷۰±۱.۷۴ (out of a total of ۲۰), and their Mean±SD psychological health score was ۱۱.۷۵±۱.۷۸ (out of a total of ۲۰). The Mean±SD social relationships score was ۱۱.۱۹±۲.۹۸ (out of a total of ۲۰), and their Mean±SD environment health score was ۱۱.۱۳±۳.۰۸ out of a total of ۲۰. P indicates a significant difference in the QoL between patients with positive and negative Spurling tests. Patients with negative Spurling tests had higher QoL scores. Greater scores denote a higher QoL Discussion: There is a significant association between cervical radiculopathy and QoL in patients with cervical spondylosis. These results will help us in the future to design educational programs or modify the lifestyle of those patients with cervical radiculopathy. This research concluded that there is a significant difference in the QoL among patients with positive and negative Spurling tests. Patients with negative Spurling tests have higher QoL scores. Hence there is a significant association between diagnosed cervical radiculopathy and QoL.

Keywords:

Spurling test , Cervical radiculopathy , Quality of life (QoL) , Activities of daily living