Association between low-back pain and lumbar spine bone density: a population-based cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Epidemiology
• Bone Health

Background:

• Low-back pain (LBP) is a significant health concern with substantial medical and economic costs.
• While various risk factors for LBP are known, the relationship between spinal bone density and LBP remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between low-back pain (LBP) and spinal bone density.
• To explore potential links between bone mineral density and the prevalence of LBP in an adult population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (K-NHANES IV, 2009).
• Included 7,144 participants (aged 21+) who underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and anthropometric measurements.
• Employed chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression to analyze LBP and spinal bone density relationships.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of LBP was 17.1%, with higher rates in females (21.0%) than males (12.1%).
• Sociodemographic and medical factors like sex, age, residence, occupation, education, hypertension, diabetes, and depression were associated with LBP.
• Higher lumbar spine T-scores were significantly associated with LBP (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.20).

Conclusions:

• Increased bone density in the lumbar spine is independently associated with low-back pain (LBP).
• This association persists irrespective of confounding factors including sociodemographic status, education, and medical-psychiatric conditions.
• Further research is required to elucidate the causal relationship, potentially involving degenerative spinal changes.