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"Young" lumbar spinal stenotic: review of 268 patients younger than 51 years
Myron M LaBan1, Alexander Imas
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073-6769, USA.
Insights
Lumbar spinal stenosis is increasingly diagnosed in younger patients. A 5-year review found 9.8% of diagnosed cases were in individuals under 51 years old, indicating a shift in typical patient demographics.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has historically been diagnosed in patients over 66 years old.
- Increased awareness and diagnostic capabilities are leading to earlier LSS identification.
- The typical age of LSS diagnosis may be decreasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of lumbar spinal stenosis in patients younger than 51 years.
- To analyze the demographic shift in LSS diagnosis.
- To assess the incidence of early-onset LSS.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year retrospective review of hospital records was conducted.
- Data from 2751 patients diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis were analyzed.
- The study focused on identifying patients under 51 years of age.
Main Results:
- Out of 2751 patients diagnosed with LSS, 268 were under 51 years of age.
- This represents 9.8% of the total diagnosed LSS population in the study.
- A significant proportion of LSS cases were identified in a younger demographic.
Conclusions:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis is being diagnosed with increasing frequency in patients under 51 years.
- The findings suggest a potential shift in the age distribution of LSS.
- Further research is warranted to understand the factors contributing to early-onset LSS.
Abstract:
Historically, most patients with the lumbar spinal stenosis have been older than 66 yr when initially diagnosed; however, with a growing awareness of this entity, it is increasingly being identified at an earlier age. A 5-yr retrospective review of hospital records was initiated to determine the frequency of lumbar spinal stenosis in a population of patients of <51 yr of age. Of 2751 patients admitted with this diagnosis, 268 (9.8%) were <51 yr of age.
