Abstract
Geographical variation in the use of surgery for degenerative cervical conditions in Norway in the period 2008 Introduction: Surgical treatment for degenerative cervical diseases has been shown to demonstrate increasing frequencies and geographic variation in the US. The aim of this study was to map the Norwegian conditions in regard to total national numbers, national rates, rates within each RHA, geographic variation and possible differences between radiculopathy and myelopathy. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of patients registered in the Norwegian Patient Registry who underwent surgical treatment for cervical degenerative disease in the period 2008 to 2012. The patients were organized according resident county, age, gender, treating hospital and whether myelopathy was present or not. Data from a private clinic, The Oslofjord Clinic, was also included. Results In this study we found that the annual number of operations for CDD has increased by 27 % from 2008 to 2012. This increase was brought about by the increase in operations where the indication was radiculopathy. There was a leap from 2010 to 2011. Furthermore the national rates has increased by 21 % during the period studied. We found that rates in two counties within the same RHA varied by a factor of 2,5. We also found variation between RHAs. Rates for treatment of myelopathy were stable and no variation was found. Conclusions The total number and rates of operations for CDD in Norway was increasing during the period studied. Geographic variation seems to exist, both between and within RHAs. The rates for myelopathy seemed stable.