TITLE:
Epidemiological, Clinical and Radiological Profile of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis in Elderly Patients Seen at the Bouake University Hospital
AUTHORS:
Joseph Kan Enock Koffi, Aissata Doucouré Traoré, Konan Joe Clauvis Yao, Jean Jacques Goua, Kouamé Hilaire Kouakou, Mauricette Atchuêlou Kouakou, N’zima Brice Kevin Kollo, Ehaulier Soh Christian Louis Kouakou, Felix Jean Claude Daboiko
KEYWORDS:
Elderly Subjects, Spondylolisthesis, Bouaké University Hospital
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases,
Vol.16 No.1,
February
4,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS) is a common condition in older people, often causing lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical and radiological profile of LS in elderly patients (≥60 years) attending the Bouaké University Hospital. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was conducted from 2019 to 2024 at Bouake University Hospital, including 113 patients aged 60 years and older with lumbar SL. Results: SL in elderly subjects accounted for 41.2% of all SL cases. There was a clear female predominance (88.5%), with a male-to-female sex ratio of 0.13. The mean BMI was 24.1 ± 4.7 kg/m2. The mean age was 66.9 ± 6.1 years. The most common occupation was housewife (72.6%). Lumbosacral radiculopathy was the most common reason for consultation (87.6%), dominated by neurogenic claudication (observed in 85.8% of patients concerned). The course was predominantly chronic (85.8%) and progressive (91.2%). Radiologically, all cases (100%) involved antelisthesis. Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) was the main aetiology (80.5%), always associated with spondylotic and posterior interapophyseal osteoarthritis. Spondylolisthesis due to isthmic lysis (19.5%) was also observed, always associated with degenerative lesions in this elderly population. Being elderly in our study was a risk factor: it increased the risk of degenerative spondylolisthesis by approximately 2 times (OR = 1.97) compared to younger subjects. Conclusion: Lumbar SL in elderly subjects in our context is a common condition, predominantly affecting women and of a degenerative nature, mainly manifesting as a narrow lumbar canal and chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy.