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Familial predisposition for lumbar degenerative disc disease. A case-control study
H Matsui1, M Kanamori, H Ishihara
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Spine
|May 20, 1998
Summary
A family history of lumbar disc herniation increases the risk of developing degenerative disc disease and disc herniation. This suggests a potential genetic factor influencing lumbar disc degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Limited epidemiologic data suggests a family history of intervertebral disc herniation is a risk factor for juvenile disc herniation.
- Recent studies show similarities in lumbar spine degenerative findings between identical twins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the significance of a family history of operated lumbar disc herniation in the development of lumbar disc degeneration and herniation.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study compared 24 relatives of patients who underwent surgery for disc herniation with 72 age- and gender-matched controls.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and plain radiography were used to assess disc degeneration and herniation incidence and grade.
- Evaluated incidence, level, and location of disc herniation/diffuse bulge and MRI-assessed disc degeneration grades.
Main Results:
- While disc degeneration incidence was high in both cases and controls, the grade of degeneration was significantly more severe in cases (P = 0.034 for L4-L5, P = 0.023 for L5-S1).
- The incidence of disc herniation/diffuse bulge was higher in cases compared to controls (P = 0.04 for L5-S1).
Conclusions:
- A family history of operated lumbar disc herniation is significantly implicated in lumbar degenerative disc disease.
- Genetic factors may play a role in the development of lumbar disc herniation as a manifestation of disc degeneration.