Epidemiological, Clinical and Radiological Profile of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis in Elderly Patients Seen at the Bouake University Hospital

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.