Epidemiological analysis: hospital discharge rate for spondylosis in Chile, in the period 2019-2022

Abstract

Introduction: Spondylosis is a degenerative process of the spine that causes pain, functional limitation, and neurological complications, impacting the quality of life. Its national epidemiology is unknown. Objective: To describe the hospital discharge rate due to spondylosis in Chile between 2019-2022. Methodology: Descriptive observational study based on data from the Department of Statistics and Health Information, on hospital discharges due to spondylosis in Chile from 2019 to 2022. Result: During the study period, there was a 9,97% increase in the hospital discharge rate due to spondylosis. Additionally, with increasing age, there was a rise in the rate, with the group aged 65 to 79 being the most affected. Females have more discharges than males, but the last ones have a hospital stay 1.5 times longer than females. Unspecified spondylosis was the most frequent cause of hospitalization (57,3%). Discussion: The hospital discharge rate remains stable over time, with a decline from 2020, possibly in the context of the pandemic. The main affected are those over 65 years of age, consistent with increased frailty and the natural history of the disease, where medical treatment is often no longer sufficient. The higher discharge rates in females could be explained by a higher rate of complications and reinterventions. Conclusion: The study reveals that Spondylosis in Chile has remained stable during the study period, being more prevalent in women and older adults.