Radiological Signs of Scheuermarin Disease and Low Back Pain-Retrospective Categorization of 188 Hospital Staff Members With 6-Year Follow-up

摘要

Summary of Background Data. SD is a spinal disorder, and both its classic and atypical (lumbar) forms are associated with LBP. However, radiological signs of SD are present in 18% to 40% of the general population, in whom the clinical significance of "SD-iike" spine remains largely unknown. Methods. This retrospective cohort study included 188 staff members from a single hospital. Participants' lumbar MR images and self-administered questionnaires concerning demographic information, LBP status, consequences, and functional limitations were collected. Participants were classified into 2 groups according to whether lumbar MR images met SD diagnostic criteria, and LBP status, consequences, and functional limitation were compared. Follow-up interviews were conducted after 6 years to compare LBP progression. Results. Thirty-four participants (18.1%) had SD-like spine. Rates of lifetime, previous 1-year, and point LBP did not significantly differ between groups. However, among participants who had ever had LBP, SD-like spine was associated with higher rates of work absence (42.1% vs. 9.5%, x~2 = 9.620, P = 0.002) and seeking medical care (68.4% vs. 39.2%, x~2 = 5.216, P = 0.022) due to LBP, as well as significantly greater intensity of the most severe LBP episode in the past 2 years (6.4 +- 2.5 vs. 4.1 +- 2.5, t = 3.564, P = 0.001). Among the 159 participants who completed the 6-year follow-up, a significantly higher proportion of people with SD-like spine reported aggravated LBP during the follow-up. Conclusion. Our results suggest that in the general population, lumbar MR images of many people meet SD diagnostic criteria, and having SD-like spine seemed to be associated with the severity and progressive nature of LBP. Our findings should inspire further research in this field.