Duration of symptoms before diagnosis in degenerative cervical myelopathy: protocol for a systematic review

Review question / Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to describe and measure the duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis of DCM, as reported in primary studies of people with this condition, with a view to informing further research on diagnostic delay. To this end, the systematic review will focus on the primary question: What is the typical duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis in people with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy? 

Condition being studied: DCM represents a collection of pathological entities including spondylosis, degenerative disk disease, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), and ossification of the ligamentum flavum which individually, or in combination, cause compression of the cervical spinal cord, resulting in a clinical syndrome typified by gait imbalance, loss of hand dexterity and sphincter dysfunction (Tetreault et al., 2015a). It is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults worldwide (KalsiRyan et al, 2013). 

INPLASY registration number:  This protocol was registered with the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY) on 22 June 2021 and was last updated on 22 June 2021 (registration number INPLASY202160079)