Prevalence and Associated Factors of the Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in Patient with Cervical Spine Problem, Phrae Province, Thailand
Abstract
Background: Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) in the cervical spine is a condition that may lead to spinal cord compression and neurological dysfunction. Despite its clinical significance, epidemiological data on OPLL in Thailand, particularly in rural areas like Phrae Province, remain limited.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of the cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in patient with cervical spine problem in Phrae Province, Thailand.
Study design: This descriptive cross-sectional study reviewed medical records of 219 patients who attended the orthopedic clinic at Phrae Hospital between 2020 and 2024. Patients were selected using systematic sampling. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were employed.
Results: Study results: The prevalence of cervical OPLL was found to be 34.7%, with the Segmental type being the most common. Predictive factors for cervical OPLL included numbness of the upper extremities, which increased the risk by 27.79 times (95% CI=[4.27–180.93], p=0.001); motor weakness of the shoulder, which increased the risk by 16.93 times (95% CI=[1.63–176.09], p=0.018); and cervical canal stenosis, which increased the risk by 123 times (95% CI=[10.52–1437.76], p<0.000). These three predictive factors could explain 78.3% of the likelihood of developing cervical spine OPLL.
Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical OPLL is at a level that warrants attention, particularly among individuals with upper extremity numbness, shoulder muscle weakness, and cervical canal stenosis. Timely diagnosis and treatment upon the onset of symptoms are therefore crucial.
Keywords: Cervical OPLL, Prevalence, Associated Factors
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