Senility, defecation disorders, sleep disorders, and non-operative spinal infections: A single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: Non-operative spinal infections (NOSI) are caused by tuberculosis, brucella, and other specific bacteria. The etiology of the disease is insidious, the onset is slow and the diagnosis and treatment are difficult. Identifying the factors associated with spinal infection and early intervention can reduce the occurrence of the disease. At present, the research mainly focuses on the accurate diagnosis and treatment of spinal infection, and there are few studies on the prevention of spinal infection. The concept of "preventive treatment of diseases" in traditional Chinese medicine may help identify the causes and reduce the occurrence of NOSI.

Aim: To determine the association of age, bowel movements, and sleep patterns with NOSI.

Methods: Data of 69 NOSI patients and 84 healthy controls in a tertiary hospital from January 2019 to June 2024 were collected. Patients with NOSI had imaging evidence (magnetic resonance imaging) of spinal infections (including infections caused by tuberculosis, brucopathy, and other pathogens) and had no history of spinal surgery in the last 1 year were included in the analysis. Patients with spinal infection due to spinal surgery are excluded in the study. Data including age, sex, place of residence, sleeping status, and bowel movements were collected. SPSS22.0 was used for correlation analysis of all data.

Results: The mean age of the NOSI group and the control group was 63.55 ± 14.635 years and 59.18 ± 17.111 years, respectively, without statistical difference (P = 0.096). There was also no statistically significant difference in gender between the two groups. In the NOSI group, 45 (65.22%) were over 60 years old, and 44 (63.77%) were rural residents. Compared with the control group, the NOSI group had more patients with sleep disorder and defecation disorder, accounting for 69.57% and 68.12%, respectively, with significant statistical difference (both P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that defecation and sleep disorders were closely related to NOSI (both P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Most patients with NOSI are older and have sleep disorders and abnormal defecation.