The aim of this study was to determine the differences in spinal imaging characteristics between subjects with or without lumbar developmental spinal stenosis (DSS) in a population-based cohort. This was a radiological analysis of 2,387 participants who underwent L1-S1 MRI. Means and ranges were calculated for age, sex, BMI, and MRI measurements. Anteroposterior (AP) vertebral canal diameters were used to differentiate those with DSS from controls. Other imaging parameters included vertebral body dimensions, spinal canal dimensions, disc degeneration scores, and facet joint orientation. Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests were conducted to search for measurement differences between those with DSS and controls. In order to identify possible associations between DSS and MRI parameters, those who were statistically significant in the univariate binary logistic regression were included in a multivariate stepwise logistic regression after adjusting for demographics. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported where appropriate.Aims
Methods
To study the associations of lumbar developmental spinal stenosis (DSS) with low back pain (LBP), radicular leg pain, and disability. This was a cross-sectional study of 2,206 subjects along with L1-S1 axial and sagittal MRI. Clinical and radiological information regarding their demographics, workload, smoking habits, anteroposterior (AP) vertebral canal diameter, spondylolisthesis, and MRI changes were evaluated. Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-squared tests were conducted to search for differences between subjects with and without DSS. Associations of LBP and radicular pain reported within one month (30 days) and one year (365 days) of the MRI, with clinical and radiological information, were also investigated by utilizing univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.Aims
Methods
Modic changes (MC), a form of intervertebral disc degeneration visible as subchondral and vertebral bone marrow changes on spine magnetic resonance (MR), are known to be associated with low back pain. This study aimed to identify genes contributing to the development of MC using genome-wide association study. Presence of MC was evaluated in lumbar MR images in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966, N=1182) and TwinsUK (N=647). Genome-wide association analyses were carried out in the cohorts separately using a linear regression model fitted to test for additive effects of SNPs and adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and either family relatedness via a kinship matrix (TwinsUK) or population stratification using principal components (NFBC1966). Meta-analysis of the two studies was carried out using the inverse-variance weighting approach.Objective
Methods
Modic change (MC) describes vertebral endplate and bone marrow lesions visible on MRI. MC has been associated with disc degeneration (DD). Independent association of MC with low back pain (LBP) is unclear. The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between MC and severe, disabling LBP; prevalence and features of DD and incident MC during 10-year follow-up. Unselected TwinsUK volunteers were recruited to MRI and nurse interview in 1996–2000 (n=823): a subset attended for follow-up a decade later (n=429). T2-weighted lumbar MR scans were coded blindly for MC, DD (loss of disc height and signal intensity, disc bulge and anterior osteophytes) and Schmorl's nodes (SN). Mean baseline age = 54.0 (32–70) years with 96% female. Prevalence of MC was 32.2% (baseline) and 48.7% (follow-up). Univariable analyses showed subjects having MC were older (p<0.001) and more overweight (p=0.026). At both timepoints subjects reporting severe LBP episodes demonstrated more MC (both p<0.001) than those without LBP. In multivariable analyses, MC remained significantly associated with episodes of severe, disabling LBP (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.04–2.41) even after adjustment for age, BMI, DD and SN. Loss of disc height and disc signal intensity were independently associated with prevalent MC at baseline, and disc height and disc bulge with incident MC during follow-up.Background and purpose of study:
Methods and results:
By systematic literature review, to quantify the association between vertebral endplate signal changes (VESC) and non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SveMED databases were searched for the period 1984 to June 2009. Articles were included which investigated the association between VESC and NSLBP and reported sufficient data to construct two-by-two tables. Articles on specific low back pain conditions were excluded. A standardised data collection and quality assessment were performed. To estimate the association between VESC and NSLBP, two-by-two tables were created and exact odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta-analysis was performed on homogeneous studies.Purpose
Materials and methods
