Relationship between hip bone mineral density and lumbar disc degeneration: a study in elderly subjects using an...

To study the relationship between hip bone mineral density (BMD), lumbar disc degeneration, and lumbar disc space narrowing in elderly subjects.

The study cohort comprised 196 females and 163 males (age range, 67-89 years) with no age difference between the two groups. Anteroposterior total hip areal BMD was measured with DXA and lumbar spine MRI was acquired using a 1.5 Tesla scanner. Lumbar disc degeneration was assessed using an eight-level grading system wherein each grade represents a stepwise progression from normal disc to severe disc degeneration and disc space narrowing.

After controlling for the age effect, no significant relationship was observed between total hip T-score status and severity of disc degeneration. There was no significant difference in total hip BMD in the subjects with or without the disc space narrowing (P < 0.05). Female subjects are more likely to have a narrowed disc space than males at all levels, and being statistically significant at L3/4 and L4/5 levels, and with an overall significance of P = 0.007.

There was no association observed between hip BMD and lumbar disc degeneration. Elderly females were more likely to have a narrowed lumbar disc space than elderly males.