Abstract:
ObjectiveTo study the correlation between vertebral bone mineral density and Modic changes of lumbar, and explore the significance of vertebral bone mineral density in Modic changes.
MethodsThe vertebral bone mineral density(BMD) and lumbar MRI examination in 152 patients with low back pain were measured to detect the vertebral bone mass, and the imaging data were observed.According to the level of bone mass, the patients were divided into the normal bone mass group(n=89), osteopenia group(n=43) and osteoporosis group(n=20).Among three groups, the incidence rates of Modic changes were compared, and the relationship between vertebral bone mineral density and Modic changes were analyzed.The degree of low back pain was scored using pain visual simulation(VAS), and the relationship between Modic changes and osteoporosis, low back pain were analyzed.
ResultsAmong the 152patients, there were 89 cases of normal bone mass(including 29 cases of Modic changes with incidence rate of 32.6%), 43 cases of osteopenia(includimg 23 cases of Modic changes with incidence rate of 53.5%), and 20 cases of osteoporosis(including 17 cases of Modic changes with incidence rate of 85.0%).The differences of the incidence rate of Modic changes among three groups were statistically significant(P < 0.05).The differences of the incidence rate of Modic changes between normal bone mass group and osteoporosis group were statistically significant(P < 0.05).The VAS score in Modic type Ⅰ and nochange Modic group were the highest and lowest, repsectively.The differences of lumbago degree between Modic type Ⅰ group and Ⅱ, Ⅲ type, nochange group were statistically significant(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The differences of lumbago degree between Modic type Ⅱand Ⅲ was not statistically significant(P>0.05), which in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups were higher than that in no change group(P < 0.01).The results of Spearman rank correlation test proved that there was a weak positive correlation between osteoporosis and Modic changes(r=0.396, P < 0.01).
ConclusionsIn the elderly over 50 years old, there is a correlation between vertebral bone mineral density and Modic changes, and the incidence rate of Modic changes increases with the decreasing of vertebral bone mineral density.Modic type Ⅰ changes is closely related to low back pain.