Prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy in two Sicilian municipalities

Objectives - As part of a door-to-door survey of neurologic diseases, we investigated the prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR) in two Sicilian municipalities (N=14,540, as of November 1, 1987). Material and methods - During phase 1, we administered a brief screening instrument to subjects in the study population. In phase 2, study neurologists using specified diagnostic criteria investigated those subjects who screened positive. Our case finding was restricted to subjects who manifested symptoms of LR in the six months preceding the prevalence day. Results - We found 143 subjects affected by LR (112 definite; 31 possible) yielding a crude prevalence of 9.8 cases per 1,000 population. Age-specific prevalence was generally higher in men; it increased to a peak at age 50-59 years and decreased steadily thereafter. At the peak, prevalence was higher in factory workers, housewives, and clerks compared to workers in other occupations. Conclusions - LR is a common neurologic disease in the general population.