Does spinal stenosis correlate with MRI findings and pain, psychologic factor and quality of life?
BACKGROUND
To investigate and analyze MRI findings in relation to visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), psychological-factor, sleep-quality, and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores among patients with central lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) for the purpose of elucidating a correlation.


METHODS
From July 2013 to May 2014, 117 consecutive patients with central LSS were included in this study. All of the MRIs were evaluated by one of the authors, and the evaluated items were the dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCSA), the number of stenotic levels, and the presence and levels of spondylolisthesis. The ODI, VAS, 36-item SF-36, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires were used to evaluate the participants.


RESULTS
There are no correlations between the ODI, VAS, BDI, BAI, PSQI, and SF-36 scores and the minimum DSCSA; however, a significant correlation was found between the ODI scores and multilevel LSS. The BDI, BAI, and PSQI scores are higher for multilevel LSS compared with single-level LSS, but the difference of this mean value is not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant correlation was shown between those patients with multilevel LSS and the ODI scores; however, significant correlations were not found between the MRI findings and the psychological factors pertaining to sleep and life qualities.
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
Ji Hee
JH
Hong
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
Mi Young
MY
Lee
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
Sung Won
SW
Jung
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
Su Yong
SY
Lee
Beck depression inventory; Dural sac cross sectional area; MRI findings; Oswestry disability index; Pittsburgh sleep quality index; Spinal stenosis