title: Association between bone scintigraphy features of spinal degeneration and anthropometric and demographic variables.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bone scintigraphy is a molecular imaging technique routinely used for the evaluation of benign and malignant bone abnormalities. This study aimed at evaluating spinal degenerative changes detected by bone scintigraphy and determining associations between image features and patients’ anthropometric and demographic variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, 64 men and 52 women underwent bone scintigraphy. Experts identified all image regions suggesting degenerative joint disease (DJD) and classified region intensity on a 3-point scale. Image characteristics were correlated to the patients’ body mass index (BMI), age, weight, height, activity level, and sex. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and association coefficients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DJD was found in 53 patients (46%). In men, there was weak but statistically significant correlation between DJD and activity level, and DJD and age, but not BMI or weight. In women, only a weak, not statistically significant, linear correlation was found between DJD and BMI, and DJD and weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Molecular imaging with bone scintigraphy showed that spinal degenerations are associated with different anthropometric and demographic features in men and women. Interestingly, no association was found between DJD and increased body weight in men while a weak association may exist in women. The results prompt for additional studies to better determine the risk factors for DJD and low back pain in male and female patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic study, Level II (retrospective study).
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatziioannou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallergi
authors.forename: Pinelopi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karampina
authors.forename: Polixeni
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zotou
authors.forename: Sotiris
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakalis
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lyra
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamprakopoulos
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Armeniakos
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pneumaticos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology*