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Factors associated with the increased risk of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis: a retrospective study

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Abstract

Purpose Atlantodens osteoarthritis and atlantoaxial osteoarthritis cause neck pain and suboccipital headaches. Currently, knowledge on the risk factors for atlantoaxial osteoarthritis is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to the increased risk of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis. Methods We analyzed computed tomography (CT) images of the upper cervical spine of 1266 adult trauma patients for whom upper cervical spine CT was performed at our hospital between 2014 and 2019. The degree of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis was quantified as none-to-mild (not having osteoarthritis) or moderate-to-severe (having osteoarthritis). Risk factors associated with atlantoaxial osteoarthritis were identified using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results The study group included 69.4% men, and the overall average age of the study population was 54.9 ± 20.4 years. The following factors were independently and significantly associated with atlantoaxial osteoarthritis in the multivariable logistic regression analysis: age in the sixth decade or older (odds ratio [OR], 20.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.2‒67.2, p < 0.001), having calcific synovitis (OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 2.4‒9.9, p < 0.001), women sex (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.9‒5.7, p = 0.002), and not having atlantodens osteoarthritis (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2‒3.8, p = 0.014). Conclusion In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, age in the sixth decade or older, calcification of the transverse ligament, being women, and not having atlantodens osteoarthritis were found to be significantly associated with atlantoaxial osteoarthritis. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can be avoided by focusing on these risk factors.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics and Surgery, Nara Medical University, KashiharaNara, 6348522, Japan

    Yuma Suga, Hideki Shigematsu, Sachiko Kawasaki, Masaki Ikejiri & Yasuhito Tanaka

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Otemae Hospital, Osaka, Japan

    Masato Tanaka

  3. Department of Emergency and Critical Care Center, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan

    Akinori Okuda, Yusuke Yamamoto, Hideki Asai & Hidetada Fukushima

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  1. Yuma Suga
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  2. Hideki Shigematsu
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Correspondence to Hideki Shigematsu.

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Suga, Y., Shigematsu, H., Tanaka, M. et al. Factors associated with the increased risk of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis: a retrospective study. Eur Spine J 31, 3418–3425 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07414-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07414-5

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