Udby PM, Ohrt-Nissen S, Bendix T, Brorson S, Carreon LY, Andersen MØ. The Association of MRI Findings and Long-Term Disability in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain.
Global Spine J 2021;
11:633-639. [PMID:
32875907 PMCID:
PMC8165932 DOI:
10.1177/2192568220921391]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN
Longitudinal cohort study with 13-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether long-term disability is associated with baseline degenerative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with low back pain (LBP).
METHODS
In 2004-2005, patients aged 18 to 60 years with chronic LBP were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and lumbar MRI was performed. Patients completed the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and the LBP Rating Scale, at baseline and 13 years after the MRI. Multivariate regression analysis was performed with 13-year RMDQ as the dependent variable and baseline disc degeneration (DD, Pfirrmann grade), Modic changes (MC), facet joint degeneration (FJD, Fujiwara grade) smoking status, body mass index, and self-reported weekly physical activity at leisure as independent variables.
RESULTS
Of 204 patients with baseline MRI, 170 (83%) were available for follow-up. Of these, 88 had Pfirrmann grade >III (52%), 67 had MC (39%) and 139 had Fujiwara grade >2 (82%) on at least 1 lumbar level. Only MC (β = -0.15, P = .031) and weekly physical activity at leisure (β = -0.51, P < .001) were significantly, negatively, associated with 13-year RMDQ-score (R2 = 0.31).
CONCLUSION
DD and FJD were not associated with long-term disability. Baseline MC and weekly physical activity at leisure were statistically significantly associated with less long-term disability.
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