Influence of Global Spine Sagittal Balance and Spinal Degenerative Changes on Locomotive Syndrome Risk in a Middle-Age and Elderly Community-Living Population

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of each locomotive syndrome (LS) risk stage, including global spine sagittal alignment, spinal degenerative changes evident on plain radiographs, low back pain (LBP), muscle strength, and physical ability in middle-aged and elderly people in a health checkup. Methods. This study included 211 healthy Japanese volunteers (89 men and 122 women; mean age, 64.0 years) who underwent assessment with both radiographs and Spinal Mouse. Spinal sagittal parameters included thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), sagittal vertical axis, and spinal inclination angle (SIA). Lumbar disc height (LDH) and lumbar osteophyte formation (LOF) at each level were evaluated as the spinal degenerative changes. The LS assessment comprised three tests: stand-up test, two-step test, and 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25). The subjects were divided into three groups (no risk, stage 1 LS, or stage 2 LS) according to LS risk test criteria. The prevalence of LBP was investigated with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and physical performances were also compared among the groups. Results. Of the participants, 122 had no risk of LS, 56 had stage 1 LS risk, and 29 had stage 2 LS risk. With increasing LS risk stage, the prevalence of and VAS score for LBP increased significantly, and back muscle strength and physical abilities decreased significantly. The TKA did not differ among the three groups. The LLA decreased gradually with LS risk stage (P=0.0001). At each level except L1–L2 and L5–S1, LDH decreased gradually with LS risk stage. The prevalence of LOF increased significantly with increasing LS risk stage. The SIA increased significantly with LS risk stage (P=0.0167). Conclusions. Participants with LS had higher prevalence of spinal degeneration, small LLA, and global spinal imbalance by anterior spinal inclination.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Manual Measurements of Neck Circumference Are Interchangeable, and Declining Neck Circumference Is Related to Presarcopenia

“…First, data from only one race of people in a single center were analyzed, and their demographic characteristics did not reflect those of people dwelling in the general community. The subjects were healthy middle-aged and elderly people who lived in a relatively rural area, and many had jobs in agriculture or fishing; therefore, they did not represent people living in an urban environment [ 28 , 29 ]. Second, this study was a cross-sectional study.…”

“…Participants were in the standing position, and both hands were tested once; the average value was used as the participant's grip strength. To measure back muscle strength (the maximal isometric strength of the trunk muscles), we used a digital back muscle strength meter (T.K.K.5402; Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Niigata, Japan) while participants were in a standing position in 30° of lumbar flexion [ 13 , 29 ]. To evaluate mobility, participants performed two tasks: (1) they walked a straight 10 m course one time at their fastest pace, and the time necessary to complete the course was recorded as the 10 m gait time [ 6 , 28 ], and (2) they rose from a standard chair (46 cm seat height from the ground), walked a distance of 3 m, turned around, walked back to the chair, and sat down (the 3 m timed up-and-go test (3-m TUG)), and the time necessary to accomplish this was measured twice, and the mean of the two measurements was recorded [ 13 , 29 ].…”

Impact of Neck and Shoulder Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life in a Middle-Aged Community-Living Population

“…The participants then described their pain intensity using the VAS as no pain (a score of 0) and pain as bad as it could be or worst imaginable pain (a score of 100 on a 100 mm scale) [ 24 ]. As done in our previous studies, VAS was used to describe the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and knee joint pain (KJP) [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…An average value was deemed a participant's grip strength. The back muscle strength (i.e., the trunk muscles' maximal isometric strength) was measured in a standing position with 30° of lumbar flexion using a digital back muscle strength meter (T.K.K.5402; Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Niigata, Japan) [ 26 , 27 ]. Participants performed two tasks to evaluate mobility.…”

“…Participants were then asked to rise from a sited position on a standard chair 46 cm high and walk 3 m, turn around, walk back to the same chair, and sit down. This process was repeated, and the average time was documented as the result of the 3 m timed up-and-go test (3 m TUG) [ 26 , 27 ].…”