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Relationship between lumbar disc degeneration on MRI and low back pain: A cross-sectional community study

Takehiro Watanabe, Koji Otani, Miho Sekiguchi, Shin-ichi Konno

Author information

  • Takehiro Watanabe

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine

  • Koji Otani

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine

  • Miho Sekiguchi

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine

  • Shin-ichi Konno

    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine

Abstract

Purpose:Although an association has been suggested between disc degeneration (DD) and low back pain (LBP), some DD is thought to be an age-related change unrelated to symptoms. Age-inappropriate DD, however, may be associated with LBP. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in LBP and LBP-related quality of life between age-appropriate and age-inappropriate DD, as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


Participants and methods:In this cross-sectional study, degenerative change in the lumbar intervertebral discs of 382 subjects (age range, 27-82 years) was evaluated by MRI. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) scores were assigned using the Schneiderman classification, as the sum of grades for all intervertebral levels (0-15). We classified subjects into three groups according to age and DDD score: Low DD (mild DD relative to age), Appropriate (age-appropriate DD), and High DD (severe DD relative to age). We compared the three groups in terms of LBP prevalence, LBP intensity, LBP-specific quality of life (QOL) according to the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), and the Short Form-36 Item Health Survey (SF-36).


Results:Of 382 subjects, there were 35% in the Low DD group, 54% in the Appropriate group, and 11% in the High DD group. There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of prevalence of LBP, LBP intensity, RDQ score, or SF-36 score.


Conclusion:No association was found between age-inappropriate DD (Low or High DD group) and age-appropriate DD (Appropriate group) in terms of prevalence of LBP, LBP intensity, RDQ, or SF-36.

The cintent of reseach paper

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