Abstract
Background
Lateral lumbar spine statistical shape models (SSM) have been used previously to describe associations with osteoarthritis and back pain. However, associations with factors such as osteoporosis, menopause and parity have not been explored.
Methods and Results
A 143-point SSM, describing L1 to the top of L5, was applied to lateral spine iDXA scans from UK Biobank. Associations with self-reported osteoporosis, menopause, parity and back pain and the first 10 modes of variation were examined using adjusted binary logistic regression or linear regression (adjusted for age, height, weight and total spine BMD). We report odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for each standard deviation change in mode.
Complete data were available for 2494 women. Mean age was 61.5 (± 7.4) years. 1369 women reported going through menopause, 96 women self-reported osteoporosis and 339 women reported chronic back pain. 80% of women reported at least 1 live birth.
Lumbar spine shape was not associated with back pain in this cohort. Two modes were associated with menopause (modes 1 & 2), 1 mode with parity (mode 1) and 2 modes with osteoporosis (modes 3 & 5). Mode 1 (43.6% total variation), describing lumbar curvature was positively associated with both menopause [OR 1.15 95% CI 1.00–1.33, p=0.05] and parity [OR 1.058 95% CI 1.03–1.0, p=0.01]. Mode 3, describing decreased vertebral height was positively associated with osteoporosis [OR 1.40 95% CI 1.14–1.73, p=0.001].
Conclusion
Menopause and parity were associated with a curvier lumbar spine and osteoporosis with decreased vertebral height. Shape was not associated with back pain.
No conflicts of interest
Sources of funding
Wellcome Trust collaborative award ref 209233
