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


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Kanayama
Masahiro
M
Spine Center, Hakodate Central General Hospital, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. mkanayama@aol.com
Togawa
Daisuke
D
Takahashi
Chihiro
C
Terai
Tomoya
T
Hashimoto
Tomoyuki
T
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires