Author:
Sopaj Azemi Edona,Kola Irena,Kola Sandër,Tanka Marjeta
Abstract
Background: Lumbar disc degenerative disease has now been proven as the most common cause of low back pain throughout the world. Approximately 5–15% of patients with low back pain suffer from lumbar disc herniation. Presenting symptoms of lumbar disc degeneration are lower back pain and sciatica which may be aggravated by walking, sitting, standing, bending, lifting etc.
Aim: To evaluate based on MRI images the prevalence of LDH in patients with low back pain and its correlation between various demographic data.
Methods: This Cross sectional and observational study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2017 at department of Imagery in the University Hospital Center `Mother Theresa`. During the two years’ period of this study, 342 patients of low back pain were presented to department of imagery suspected for lumbar disc herniation. Diagnostic criteria were based upon abnormal findings in MRI. All MRI scans were obtained with 1.5 tesla MRI machine. Data analysis was carried out with SPSS software for Windows version 20.0.
Results: Overall 342 patients with LBP came into Imagery department, the prevalence of lumbar disc herniation resulted 31.9% (109/342). Most of patients 60.5% were presented with continuous LBP with a predominance of deterioration of pain by the walking activity 65.2%. The average age of patients with LDH resulted 51.12 years old with min 32 years and max 74 years old. The ratio M:F of LDH patients resulted 1.4, with predominance of males 59.6%. The active age 40-49 years (28.9%) old and 50-59 years (36.9%) were the most affected by LDH compared to other age groups. Based on MRI images disc herniation was most commonly present at the level of L3/L4 and L4/L5. Commonest types of disc herniation were protrusion 63.3% (69/109) followed by extrusion 21.1% (23/109). In the overall multivariate regression analysis, a significant relation between lumbar disk herniation and some of occupation was found (p˂0.05)
Conclusions: Biologically, the lumbar herniation disc is a potential contributor to low back pain. The prevalence of LDH among patients with LBP resulted 31.9%, and men were more prone to suffered from disc herniation than women, due to increased mechanical stress and injury. Results reported the frequent occurrence of lumbar disc degenerative disease in active age. The lumbar discs most often affected and leads to herniation are L3-L4, and L4–L5. Research efforts should endeavor to reduce risk factors and improve the quality of life.
Publisher
Scientific Foundation SPIROSKI
Reference40 articles.
1. Dydyk AM, Ngnitewe Massa R, Mesfin FB. Disc Herniation. In: Stat Pearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2021. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822 [Last accessed on 2021 Jul 12].
2. Fjeld OR, Grøvle L, Helgeland J, Småstuen MC, Solberg TK, Zwart JA, et al. Complications, reoperations, readmissions, and length of hospital stay in 34 639 surgical cases of lumbar disc herniation. Bone Joint J. 2019;101(4):470-7. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.101B4.BJJ-2018-1184.R1 PMid:30929479
3. Murray CJ, Barber RM, Foreman KJ, Ozgoren AA, Abd-Allah SF, Abera SF, et al. Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for 306 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 188 countries, 1990-2013: Quantifying the epidemiological transition. Lancet. 2015;386:2145-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)61340-X PMid:26321261
4. Kim JH, van Rijn RM, van Tulder MW, Koes BW, de Boer MR, Ginai AZ, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of diagnostic imaging for lumbar disc herniation in adults with low back pain or sciatica is unknown; a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap. 2018;26:37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-018-0207-x
5. Tang C, Moser FG, Reveille J, Bruckel J, Weisman MH. Cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis: Challenges in diagnosis, management, and pathogenesis. J Rheumatol. 2019;46(12):1582-8. https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.181259 PMid:30936280