Lumbar spine abnormalities in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sleep Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Previous research indicated cervical spondylosis as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• The relationship between OSA and lumbar spine degeneration remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate lumbar disc degeneration in patients diagnosed with OSA.
• To correlate lumbar degeneration findings with OSA severity and patient-reported symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Sleep studies and lumbar MRI were conducted on 27 OSA patients and 29 controls.
• Participants completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ).
• Plasma klotho levels were measured using ELISA.

Main Results:

• OSA patients exhibited significantly more disc bulges, anterior spondylophytes, and overall disc degeneration (Pfirrmann score).
• Vertebral fatty degeneration was also more prevalent in the OSA group.
• No significant difference in RMDQ scores was observed between OSA patients and controls.

Conclusions:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with lumbar spondylosis.
• OSA severity markers correlated with specific lumbar degeneration findings.
• Lumbar imaging should be considered for OSA patients experiencing lower back pain.