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Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates
Published on: September 17, 2019
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Prevalence, Patterns, and Genetic Association Analysis of Modic Vertebral Endplate Changes
Rishi Mugesh Kanna1, Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan1, Veera Ranjani Rajagopalan2
1Department of Orthopaedics and Spine Surgery, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, India.
Asian Spine Journal
|September 7, 2017
Summary
This study found that specific gene variations in VDR and MMP20 are linked to Modic changes (MCs), a spinal condition. Understanding these genetic factors may help develop future treatments for low back pain.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
Background:
- Modic changes (MCs) are vertebral endplate signal alterations often seen in the lumbar spine.
- MCs are associated with lumbar disc degeneration and low back pain, with unclear causes.
- Previous studies on genetic factors in MCs are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Modic changes in a large Indian cohort.
- To investigate the genetic association of 41 candidate genes with Modic changes.
- To evaluate genes not previously studied in disc degeneration phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective genetic association study involving 809 patients.
- 1.5-T MRI was used to identify and characterize lumbar Modic changes.
- Genetic analysis of 71 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 41 genes was performed using Sequenome and PLINK.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of Modic changes was 13% in the study population (107 cases out of 809 patients).
- Type 2 MCs were the most common pattern, predominantly affecting the L4-5 levels.
- Significant associations were found between MCs and rs2228570 SNP of VDR (p=0.02) and rs17099008 SNP of MMP20 (p=0.03).
Conclusions:
- Genetic polymorphisms in VDR and MMP20 are significantly associated with Modic changes.
- Identifying the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of MCs is crucial for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into genetic factors can inform treatment approaches for spinal conditions.
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