The Relationship Between Chronic Low Back Pain and Bone Mineral Density in Young and Middle-Aged Males

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we investigated the relationship between chronic low back pain and bone mineral density in a young and middle-aged male pdpulation. Materials and Methods: A total of 104 male patients with chronic low back pain were enrolled in the study. All subjects completed the Oswestry Disability Index (ODD. Additionally, the intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) was graded according to the Thompson's classification. After bone mineral density was measured the patients were divided into two groups: normal (n=50) and low (n=54) bone density groups. In addition, for comparing the data of patient sub-groups, bone mineral density was measured in 30 healthy subjects. Results: T and Z-scores of the L2 - L4 and the femoral neck were found to be significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group. In the patient group, there was a positive correlation between the ODI score and the DD score. There were negative correlations between both the ODI score and the DD score and L2-L4 and femoral neck T scores and Z-score. The DD and ODI scores were found to be significantly higher in a patient with low bone density compared to a patient with normal bone density. Conclusion: We think that the low bone mineral density in young and middle-aged male patients with chronic lower back pain is related to disability and physical inactivity. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2072;58:294-8.