Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study of lumbar disc degeneration in 200 healthy individuals

• Published in: Journal of neurosurgery. Spine Vol. 11; no. 4; p. 501
• Main Authors: Kanayama, Masahiro, Togawa, Daisuke, Takahashi, Chihiro, Terai, Tomoya, Hashimoto, Tomoyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disability Evaluation; Female; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - epidemiology; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration - pathology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - epidemiology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - pathology; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Lumbar Vertebrae; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1547-5646
• DOI: 10.3171/2009.5.SPINE08675

The current cross-sectional observational MR imaging study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of lumbar disc degeneration in a healthy population and to establish the baseline data for a prospective longitudinal study. Two hundred healthy volunteers participated in this study after providing informed consent. The status of lumbar disc degeneration was assessed by 3 independent observers, who used sagittal T2-weighted MR imaging. Demographic data collected included age, sex, body mass index, episode(s) of low-back pain, smoking status, hours of standing and sitting, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores. There were 68 men and 132 women whose mean age was 39.7 years (range 30-55 years). Eighty-two individuals (41%) were smokers, and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores were averaged to 0.6/24. The prevalence of disc degeneration was 7.0% in L1-2, 12.0% in L2-3, 15.5% in L3-4, 49.5% in L4-5, and 53.0% in L5-S1. A herniated disc was observed at the corresponding levels in 0.5, 3.5, 6.5, 25.0, and 35.0% of cases respectively. Spondylolisthesis was observed in < 3% of this population. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age and hours sitting were significantly related to L4-5 disc herniation. Episode of low-back pain, smoking status, body mass index, and hours standing did not affect the prevalence of disc degeneration. The current study established the baseline data of lumbar disc degeneration in a 30- to 55-year-old healthy population for a prospective longitudinal study. Hours spent sitting significantly increased the prevalence of disc herniation, but episode of low-back pain, smoking status, obesity, and standing hours were not significant risk factors.