title: Evaluation of bone mineral density in patients with chronic low back pain.
abstract: METHODS
  This was designed as a retrospective study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and chronic lower back pain (LBP).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In spite of a large number of epidemiological surveys on the prevalence of LBP and BMD measurements completed separately in the general population, the relationship between the two has not been well documented.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 171 patients with chronic LBP who underwent the BMD study. The control group was selected from our database regarding BMD without LBP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 678 subjects, aged 18 to 100 years (mean, 49.9±12.9 years) were included in the study, 25% (n=171) of the subjects had LBP. Compared to those patients without LBP, patients exhibiting LBP had statistically significant lower mean weight, hip and spine BMD and T-score. Lower BMD and T-scores were significant regardless of the age group, gender, menopausal status, and obesity classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic LBP has a negative correlation with hip and spine bone mineral density.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Al-Saeed
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Fawaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azizieh
authors.forename: Renu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Absorptiometry, Photon; Bone density; Hip; Lumbar vertebrae