A Cervical Lordosis Curvature Decline in Chinese Asymptomatic Populations from 2016 to 2024: A Comparative Analysis

Background With the widespread increase in the use of electronic devices, there has been a growing concern regarding their potential impact on health, particularly concerning the cervical spine. The overuse of mobile phones has been associated with cervical spondylosis and other cervical spine disorders. This study sought to assess recent trends in cervical lordosis (CL) curvature over the past eight years. Methods Asymptomatic individuals who underwent cervical spine radiography at four hospitals were randomly selected from hospital databases for a comparative analysis of data spanning from 2016 to 2024. The curvature of CL was assessed using three methods: the C2-C7 Cobb angle (Cobb A), the C2-C7 Harrison posterior tangent angle (Harrison A), and Borden’s method for evaluating CL depth. Measurements of CL curvature were performed using the previously described methodologies by two authors, employing a Picture Archiving and Communication System. The selected participants were categorized into two cohorts: young adults (aged < 40 years) and older adults (aged ≥ 40 years). Results In the 2016 and 2024 cohorts, no significant age differences based on gender were observed. Females in these cohorts exhibited significantly lower CL curvature measurements, as assessed by the Cobb A and CL depth indices, in comparison to their male counterparts. Furthermore, within these cohorts, older adults demonstrated a reduction in CL depth compared to younger adults. The assessment of CL curvature in the 2024 cohort, utilizing the Cobb A and Harrison A methods, revealed a reduction in measurements compared to the 2016 cohort. This decrease was observed across both genders and all age groups. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate a decline in CL curvature over the past eight years. Further research is warranted to investigate the underlying causes and implications of this trend.