Significant Predictors of Outcome Following Surgery for the Treatment of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

This systematic review aims to summarize important clinical predictors of outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for the treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy. Based on the results of this article, patients with a longer duration of symptoms and more severe myelopathy are likely to have worse surgical outcomes. With respect to age, several studies have indicated that elderly patients are less likely to translate neurologic recovery into functional improvements. However, many other studies have failed to identify a significant association between age and outcomes. Finally, smoking status and presence of comorbidities may be important predictors of outcomes.