Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of L5-S1 Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Japanese Women

Abstract

Study DesignRetrospective case series.PurposeTo calculate the prevalence of L5-S1 intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) by evaluating gynecological disease findings, obtained by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and reveal the risk factors for IDD by analyzing its relationship with age, sacral structure, body mass index (BMI), number of deliveries, and intrapelvic space-occupying lesions.Overview of LiteratureAge, obesity, height, smoking history, occupation, and lumbosacral structure are reportedly the main factors of lumbar IDD. However, in women, the relationship of IDD with obstetric and gynecological history is unclear.MethodsThe presence of L5-S1 IDD was evaluated on sagittal T2-weighted pelvic MRI during gynecological evaluations in 660 Japanese women. We measured the sacral table angle (STA), sacral kyphosis angle (SKA), and intrapelvic space-occupying lesion size. Age, height, weight, BMI, number of deliveries, lumbosacral structure, size of space-occupying lesions, and presence of uterine leiomyoma based on medical records were compared between the IDD-positive and IDD-negative groups.ResultsLumbosacral IDD was observed in 405 cases (61.4%), and its prevalence increased with age. Differences in age, height, weight, BMI, and number of deliveries between the IDD-positive and -negative groups were significant, but differences in STA, SKA, and presence of uterine leiomyoma and space-occupying lesion size were not. Logistic regression analysis indicated that age, BMI, and STA were risk factors for lumbosacral IDD.ConclusionsAge is the biggest risk factor for lumbosacral IDD in Japanese women, with BMI and STA also contributing to its development. However, SKA and obstetric and gynecological history were not significantly involved.

Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration as a Common Incidental Finding in Young Pregnant Women as Observed on Prenatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…This may be biomechanically explained by lumbosacral alignment properties, which showed an increased risk upon a decrease in lumbar lordosis and sacral kyphosis. 39,40 There was a statistically significant relationship between disc degeneration and the women's age and body weight, underscoring the role of increasing age and body weight as essential risk factors. [41][42][43] The nonsignificant relationship between disc degeneration and gestational age should be interpreted with caution, since the MR scans were performed within a narrow time span, between 18 and 39 weeks of gestation.…”

Features of the Topography of the Abdominal Aorta and Its Unpaired Branches in Sexual and Age Aspects

“…Miller [15], у женщин дегенеративные изменения в дисках возникают в среднем на 10 лет позже. Такое различие может объясняться как эндогенными (в том числе, генетическими и эндокринными) факторами [16][17], так и характером жизнедеятельности и профессии (поднятие тяжестей, длительное вождение транспортных средств, воздействие вибрации) [18].…”

Central Sagittal Angle of the Sacrum as a New Risk Factor for Patients with Persistent Low Back Pain after Caesarean Section

“…LBP also has major socioeconomic implications [ 9 ]. LBP is a very common pregnancy symptom [ 10 ], and disc bulging and herniation are occasionally evident on imaging examinations. In some cases, LBP persists after delivery.…”