Lumbar Spondylolisthesis Among Elderly Men

Abstract

Study Design Prospective cohort study. Objective Estimate the prevalence of spondylolisthesis and determine the factors associated with higher or lower prevalence among men aged 65 years or older. Summary of Background Data Spondylolisthesis prevalence is reported to increase with age and to be higher among women than men. Among women aged ≥65 years, prevalence was estimated to be 29%, but no estimates among men of this age have been reported. Methods Lateral lumbar spine radiographs were obtained at baseline and a follow-up visit in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study, a cohort of community dwelling men ages ≥ 65 years. Average time between radiographs was 4.6 (±0.4) years. For the present study, 300 men were sampled at random at baseline. Of these, 295 had a usable baseline radiograph; 190 surviving participants had a follow-up radiograph. Spondylolisthesis was defined as a forward slip ≥ 5%. Progression was defined as a 5% increase in slip severity on the follow-up radiograph. Associations of spondylolisthesis prevalence with baseline characteristics were estimated with age-adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals from log binomial regression models. Results The mean (sd) age of the men studied was 74 (±6) years. Prevalence of lumbar spondylolisthesis was 31%. Spondylolisthesis was observed at the L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 levels. In 96% with spondylolisthesis, only one vertebral level was involved. The degree of slip ranged from 5%–28%, and nearly all listhesis was classified as Meyerding grade I. During follow-up, 12% of men with prevalent spondylolisthesis had progression; 12% without baseline spondylolisthesis had new onset. Prevalence did not vary by height, BMI, smoking history, diabetes, or heart disease. However, men with spondylolisthesis more often reported higher levels of physical activity or walking daily for exercise than men without spondylolisthesis. Conclusions Spondylolisthesis may be more common among older men than previously recognized.

Prevalence of Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis in Patients Afflicted with Chronic Back Pain in Babol City, Iran, during 2012 and 2013

“…Spondylolisthesis ( Figure 2) is forward slippage of one vertebra on lower vertebrae occurring for several reasons [1]. Spondylolysis and other diseases like degenerative spondylolisthesis are more common in elderly patients [12]. Break out of such injury in aged individuals is more than that in other age groups, therefore, such injury may not be diagnosed in most individuals and young persons for not being diagnosed [12].…”

“…Spondylolysis and other diseases like degenerative spondylolisthesis are more common in elderly patients [12]. Break out of such injury in aged individuals is more than that in other age groups, therefore, such injury may not be diagnosed in most individuals and young persons for not being diagnosed [12]. Spondylolisthesis is considered as one of the etiologies for chronic LBPs in aged individuals.…”

Results of instrumented posterolateral fusion in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis with and without segmental kyphosis: A retrospective investigation

“…[1] According to the Wiltse classification system, spondylolisthesis is classified into five types based on the causes: Congenital, degenerative, isthmic, traumatic, and pathologic. [2] In Taiwan, the prevalence of lumbar spondylolisthesis is 6% in women and 3% in men.…”

Prevalence of Radiographic Findings in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain Screened for a Randomized Controlled Trial: Secondary Analysis and Clinical Implications

“…(15) Our results are consistent with others reporting this finding more commonly in females 28 (25%) than males 17 (13%), most prevalent at L4 (26), and with increasing age. (38;59) Reduced prevalence in the over-60 age range is likely a factor of the very small sample in that group. Our results showed degenerative spondylolisthesis changed from 14% in females aged 40–49 to 51% of females aged 50–59 years, while males aged 40–49 demonstrated 3% prevalence increasing to 24% in the 50–59 group.…”