Copper deficiency myelopathy mimicking cervical spondylitic myelopathy: a systematic review of the literature with case report
Chen JW, Zeoli T, Hughes NC, Lane A, Berkman RA
Published in Spine J, Vol. 24 (11), pp. 2026-2034
Methodology
Systematic review (PRISMA) of 116 studies reporting 198 cases of copper deficiency myelopathy, plus one illustrative case.
Key Findings
Mean age was about 54 years and 64% were women. Prior gastric surgery was the most common cause, followed by zinc denture cream. Only 47 cases (24%) improved neurologically and 10 (5.1%) returned to baseline despite copper.
Conclusions
Damage can be devastating and irreversible even with copper, so people with myelopathy and gastric bypass, malabsorption, zinc exposure or low blood counts should have copper, ceruloplasmin and B12 checked first.
Limitations
Built from case reports, so it overstates severe, recognized cases and cannot give frequency.
Supplements Studied
only 47 cases (24%) reported improvement in neurological status
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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