Awareness of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Among Medical Students in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Cervical myelopathy is the most common cause of acquired spinal cord compromise. The concept of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), defined as symptomatic myelopathy associated with degenerative arthropathic changes in the spine axis, is being introduced. Patients with DCM visit many doctors due to a variety of symptoms, mainly orthopedics, neurosurgeons, neurologists, or physiotherapists. Aim: This study aims to assess awareness and perception of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy among medical students in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Aseer region, Southern Saudi Arabia targeting all medical students and interns at the College of Medicine. An online questionnaire was initiated by the study researchers after intensive literature review and expert's consultation. The final questionnaire was published using the social media platforms from 1st of September to 3rd of September, 2022. The questionnaire was uploaded online by the researchers and their friends, or relatives till no more new answers were obtained. Results: A total of 380 medical students and interns completed the study survey. Students' ages ranged from 18 to 30 years with mean age of 22.6 +/- 2.1 years old. Exactly 235 (61.8%) students were females and 212 (55.8%) were in their clinical study years. Exactly 106 (27.9%) students had good awareness level regarding DCM while 274 (72.1%) had poor awareness level. The most reported source of information was internet (46.3%), followed by lectures (33.9%), social media (30%), textbook (18.9%), and workshop (15.5%). Conclusion: In conclusion, the current study showed that medical students' awareness regarding DCM was poor especially among male students and others who had not been taught about the disease. Also, the internet was the most prominent source of students' information rather than study lectures.