Dose-response relationship between spino-pelvic alignment determined by sagittal modifiers and back pain-specific quality of life

Associations between NCLBP, spinal sagittal alignment and age groups: a cross-sectional cohort study

PURPOSE

Nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) is one of the most common manifestations of degenerative spondylitis. It affects many patients of all ages and seriously interferes with quality of life. However, the associations between NCLBP, sagittal alignment and age remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the typical features of sagittal alignment in individuals with NCLBP and to discuss the relationships between age and these NCLBP-related changes in sagittal alignment.

METHODS

We measured the sagittal parameters of patients with NCLBP and investigated their sagittal alignment and compensatory mechanisms by comparing them with those of asymptomatic individuals.

RESULTS

A total of 905 elderly patients (≥ 50 years old) and 1296 young patients (< 50 years old) were included. An analysis of sagittal parameters revealed that elderly patients with NCLBP had a smaller lumbar lordosis (LL, p = 0.001) and a greater T1 pelvic angle (TPA, p < 0.001). Age was significantly correlated with the TPA (rs = 0.549, p < 0.001) and pelvic tilt (PT, rs = 0.471, p < 0.001). The AUC value of the TPA was 0.782 (95% CI 0.764 to 0.799).

CONCLUSIONS

Although decreased lumbar lordosis is the most typical sagittal feature in patients with NCLBP, there are still differences in sagittal alignment between different ages. Compared with young patients, elderly patients with NCLBP more commonly present with a decompensated pattern of the anterior inclination of the trunk as the main sagittal alignment abnormality. TPA is more predictive than LL for the diagnosis of geriatric NCLBP.

Spino-pelvic parameters and back pain in patients without coronal deformity or history of spinal surgery: A cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

During the last two decades, there has been a growing interest in spinal sagittal alignment. Most published studies have focused on the role of spinopelvic parameters in patients with adult spinal deformity or in those with previous spinal fusion.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore possible association between disability related to back pain and spinopelvic parameters in the absence of coronal deformity or previous spinal surgery.

METHODS

In the setting of a larger study involving patients with low back pain (LBP), those without previous surgery or spinal deformity in the coronal plane were selected. A total of 52 patients (mean age 59 years, range 21-86, 23 men and 29 women) were found. The visual analogic scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire (ODI) were recorded. Surgimap software was used to measure the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and lumbar lordosis (LL). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Statistics software. Pearson or Spearman correlation were the test of choice depending on the specific variables.

RESULTS

A statistically significant association was found between SVA and ODI (r 0.59, p< 0.03). Increased pelvic tilt was also associated with more severe disability related to back pain (r 0.48, p< 0.03). PI-LL mismatch showed moderate association with disability and severity of back pain, although this association did not reach statistical significance (r 0.52, p< 0.08).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that sagittal misalignment may be related with more severe disability and back pain in patients with minor or null deformity in the coronal plane.

Locomotive Syndrome and Lumbar Spine Disease: A Systematic Review

Locomotive syndrome (LS) is defined based on the Loco-Check, 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), 5-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-5), Stand-Up Test, Two-Step Test, or a total assessment (i.e., positive for one or more of the GLFS-25, Stand-Up Test, and Two-Step Test). Lumbar spine disease has been reported to be one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders leading to LS. We therefore conducted a systematic review via PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and MEDLINE, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 26 studies were considered to be eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. The GLFS-25 showed an association with low back pain, sagittal spinopelvic malalignment, and lumbar spinal stenosis but not vertebral fracture. The GLFS-5 showed an association with low back pain and lumbar spinal stenosis. The Loco-Check and Two-Step Test showed an association with low back pain, sagittal spinopelvic malalignment, and lumbar spinal stenosis. The Stand-Up Test showed no association with lumbar spinal stenosis. The total assessment showed an association with low back pain and lumbar spinal stenosis. Furthermore, the GLFS-25, Two-Step Test, and total assessment were improved by spinal surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. The current evidence concerning the relationship between LS and lumbar spine disease still seems insufficient, so further investigations are required on this topic.