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Lumbosacral radiculopathy--factors effects on it's severity
Svetlana Tomić1, Silva Soldo-Butković, Biserka Kovac
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital "Osijek", Osijek, Croatia. s.filipovic@vip.hr
Collegium Antropologicum
|May 5, 2009
Summary
Obesity, male sex, older age, and physically demanding jobs increase the risk of severe lumbosacral radiculopathy. Chronic conditions like diabetes do not significantly affect severity.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Lumbosacral radiculopathy is a common condition affecting nerve roots in the lower spine.
- Identifying factors influencing its severity is crucial for patient management and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between various patient characteristics and the severity of lumbosacral radiculopathy.
- To determine risk factors for severe presentations of this condition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 100 patients undergoing electromyoneurography for lumbosacral radiculopathy.
- Categorization based on body mass index (BMI), sex, age, job type (physical vs. intellectual), and chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia).
- Statistical evaluation using the chi-squared test (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- Obese patients were more likely to have severe radiculopathy (p < 0.044).
- Severe radiculopathy was significantly more frequent in males (p < 0.001), elderly patients (p < 0.023), and those with physically intensive jobs (p < 0.002).
- No significant association was found between diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and radiculopathy severity.
Conclusions:
- Obesity, male sex, advanced age, and physically demanding occupations are significant risk factors for severe lumbosacral radiculopathy.
- Common chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia do not appear to influence the severity of this condition.
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