RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 P78 Recovery priorities for patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e42
OP e43
DO 10.1136/jnnp-2019-ABN.137
VO 90
IS 3
A1 Benjamin M Davies
A1 Oliver D Mowforth
A1 Iwan Sadler
A1 Bizhan Aarabi
A1 Brian K Kwon
A1 Shekar N Kurpad
A1 James Harrop
A1 Jefferson R Wilson
A1 Robert Grossman
A1 Michael G Fehlings
A1 Mark RN Kotter
YR 2019
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/90/3/e42.3.abstract
AB Objectives The misalignment of patient and researcher objectives has been shown to contribute to research inefficiency and wastage. The patient research priorities in degenerative cervical myelopathy [DCM] are unknown. The present study aimed to establish relevant functional domains and their recovery priority to DCM sufferers.Design Functional domains were established from qualitative patient interviews (n=4), and the recovery priority through an e-survey (n=659).Subjects DCM Patients recruited via a DCM charity [Myelopathy.org] and Google Adwords.Methods Seven functional domains were identified: arm and hand, walking, upper body/trunk, sexual, elimination of pain, normal sensation and bladder/bowel function. Patients were asked to rank these domains. The influence of disease characteristics on selection was analysed.Results 481 complete responses were analysed. Overall, pain was the most popular recovery priority (39.9%), followed by walking (20.2%), sensation (11.9) and arm and hand function (11.5%). Sexual function (5.7%), bladder and bowel (3.7%) or trunk function (3.5%) were chosen less frequently. With respect to disease characteristics, overall pain remained the recovery priority [with the exception of patients with greater walking impairment (p<0.005) who prioritised walking] even amongst patients with lower pain scores.Conclusions Pain is a recovery priority for DCM patients, even amongst those reporting low levels of pain.