Pain intensity, spine structure, and body composition in patients with acute discogenic lumbar radiculopathy

• Published in: Musculoskeletal science & practice Vol. 73; p. 103133
• Main Authors: Kaya, Derya Ozer, Celenay, Seyda Toprak, Secer, Erhan, Biceroglu, Huseyin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Body composition; Disability evaluation; Low back pain; Posture; Low back pain; Disability evaluation; Body composition; Posture
• ISSN: 2468-7812; 2468-7812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103133

This study aimed to compare the pain intensity, spine structure, and body composition according to functional disability levels in patients with acute discogenic lumbar radiculopathy (DLR). A total of 118 women (n = 83) and men (n = 35) patients with acute DLR (mean age: 51.87 ± 13.38 years) were included in the study. The function ability was measured with the Oswestry Disability Index, pain intensity was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale, spine structure was measured with the Spinal Mouse® device, and body composition was measured with the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis System. Patients with mild functional disability levels had significantly lower activity (p˂.001) and night pain intensity (p = 0.001) than patients with moderate, severe, and completely functional disability levels, and patients with completely functional disability levels had significantly higher rest pain intensity (p = 0.005) than patients with mild, moderate, and severe functional disability levels. Patients with mild functional disability levels had significantly better spine check scores (p = 0.001), posture (p = 0.005), and mobility (p = 0.003) than patients with moderate, severe, and completely functional disability levels. Patients with mild functional disability levels had significantly lower fat percentage (p = 0.032), and higher basal metabolic rate (p = 0.024) than patients with moderate, severe, and completely functional disability levels. Pain intensity, spinal structure, and body composition of acute DLR patients differ greatly according to their functional disability levels. Although it is known that the level of functional disability of patients is a result of the severity or prognosis of the disease, performing different treatment methods aimed at decreasing the functional disability level of patients by health professionals may be important in terms of coping with the disease. •LBP is one of the most common disorders in the general population.•DLR is one of the leading causes of functional limitations or disabilities.•Functional disability levels affect spine structure in patients with acute DLR.•Functional disability levels affect pain intensity in patients with acute DLR.•Functional disability levels affect body composition in patients with acute DLR.