Influence of diabetes mellitus on cervical intervertebral disc herniation

Objectives To establish if patients treated surgically for cervical disc disease have an increased incidence of diabetes mellitus. Patients and Methods We prospectively studied 66 consecutive patients who were treated surgically for cervical disc disease and compared them with 100 age-matched patients at the same time period who underwent surgery for other reasons. Results There was a significantly increased incidence of diabetes mellitus in the first group. This increased incidence was even higher than that in historical controls treated surgically for lumbar disc disease. Short-term postoperative prognosis was good in our patients. We describe the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cervical disc disease. Conclusion There is an increased incidence of diabetes among patients undergoing surgery for cervical disc disease.