Paraspinal electromyography: age-correlated normative values in asymptomatic subjects.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if the amount of lumbar paraspinal denervation increases with age and present normative data on the amount of denervation present in asymptomatic subjects.


BACKGROUND
To our knowledge, there are no data on the relationship of paraspinal denervation with age or normative data on the amount of denervation expected in asymptomatic older adults.


METHODS
We combined the data from our current study of asymptomatic adults, age 55-79 years, and a previous study of asymptomatic adults, age 18-58 years, who underwent lumbar paraspinal muscle needle electromyography using a validated needle electromyography (MiniPM) technique. We then compared the results of the age group 55-79 to that of the age group 18-54.


RESULTS
The older group scored significantly higher than the younger group by 1.7 (P = 0.008, 95% confidence interval 0.5-3.0). Linear regression showed that age was a significant predictor of the MiniPM score (beta = 0.04, and P = 0.04). For subjects 55 years and older, mean MiniPM score on one side was 2.3 (standard deviation 3.6). The upper range of the 95th percentile was 10.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of lumbar paraspinal muscle denervation does increase with age. Understanding the range of findings in asymptomatic subjects will help us interpret lumbar paraspinal needle electromyography findings in patients with spinal disorders.
Tong
Henry C
HC
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. hct@umich.edu
Haig
Andrew J
AJ
Yamakawa
Karen S J
KS
Miner
Jennifer A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D012016:Reference Values; D016037:Single-Blind Method