Paleoepidemiology of vertebral degenerative disease in a Pre-Columbian Muisca series from Colombia

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Claudia Rojas-SepúlvedaO Dutour

Abstract

Major manifestations of vertebral degenerative joint disease were observed on a Pre-Columbian Muisca series from the Soacha Cemetery (11th to 13th centuries) Colombia, South America. In total, 1,646 vertebrae of 83 individuals were examined. Osteophytes, vertebral body joint surface contour change ("lipping"), and vertebral body pitting were evaluated for each vertebral body. For apophyseal joints, joint surface contour change, pitting, and eburnation were recorded. Two methods of frequency calculation and five for vertebral degenerative disease diagnosis were applied and compared, allowing discussion of methodological considerations. Our study showed that 83% of individuals and 32% of vertebrae were classified as positive when diagnosed by the presence of at least one of the following manifestations: osteophytes, vertebral body joint surface contour change ("lipping"), apophyseal joint surface contour change, or eburnation (method called "Pitting excluded"). No significant differences were found between the sexes. In the youngest cohort (15-30 years), 65% of individuals and 10% of vertebrae exhibit at least one of the previously mentioned manifestations. High prevalences suggest a high level of physical activity beginning in c...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 13, 2013·Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen·Eun Jin Woo, Sunyoung Pak
Jan 14, 2009·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Haagen D KlausManuel E Tam
Jan 10, 2013·Anatomy & Cell Biology·Deog Kyeom KimDong Hoon Shin
Nov 29, 2020·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Katherine M KinkopfAlfredo Coppa
Mar 22, 2021·International Journal of Paleopathology·Giulia RiccomiValentina Giuffra

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