Comparative study of isthmic spondylolysthesis and nonisthmic spondylolysthesis in Northern Togo

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of isthmic and non-isthmic spondylolisthesis in a rheumatological  environment in northern Togo

Methods: This was a retrospective study lasting 2 years, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022, of patients with lumbar  spondylolisthesis with or without slippage at the CHU and CHR Kara.

Results: One hundred and six (86 women; 20 men) of the 1699  patients who attended our clinic suffered from lumbar spondylolisthesis. The mean age of the patients was 54.15 ± 12.21 years. The average duration of evolution was 46.57 ± 54.09 months. Overweight accounted for 51.6%, followed by moderate obesity at 25.8%. Low  back pain radiated in 91.5% and bilateral in 62.3%. The walking distance was limited (62.3%) and the average was 324.92 ± 361.28m. Anterolilisthesis was found in 79.2%, L4-L5 and L5-S1 seats were affected in 62.3% and 28.3% respectively. Meyerding grade I was found in  91.5%. Isthmic spondylolysthesis accounted for 51.9%. Among non-isthmic spondylolysthesis, the degenerative type accounted for  44.3%. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the patient’s age (p=0.004), the type of obesity (p=0.001), anterolysthesis (p=0.001), the site of the L4-L5 slip (p=0.001) and Meyerding grade II (p=0.003).

Conclusion: Spondylolysthesis is a  frequent reason for consultation with a female predominance. Isthmic spondylolysthesis is the most frequent followed by degenerative spondylolysthesis. There was a statistically significant correlation with patient age, type of obesity, anterolysthesis, site of slippage, and  Meyerding grade II.