Modic changes in the cervical spine: Prospective 20-year follow-up study in asymptomatic subjects

BackgroundFew studies have characterized the development of Modic changes in the cervical spine over time. We evaluated Modic changes of the cervical spine that developed over a 20-year period in a healthy cohort, and sought to clarify the relationship between Modic changes and the development of clinical symptoms.MethodsFor this multicenter prospective cohort study, we recruited 193 subjects from an original cohort of asymptomatic volunteers who underwent MRI of the cervical spine between 1993 and 1996. Each cervical level from C2/3 to C7/T1 (total n = 1158 intervertebral levels) was assessed on current MRIs as normal or showing type 1, 2, or 3 Modic change, and we asked about symptoms related to the cervical spine. Relationships between the presence of Modic changes and patient characteristics, pre-existing disc degenerations or clinical symptoms were evaluated by logistic regression analysis.ResultsAfter 20-year follow-up, Modic changes affected 31 subjects (16.1%) at 47 intervertebral disc levels. Of these 47 intervertebral disc levels, type 2, found at 30 levels (63.8%), was the most frequent, followed by type 1 at 15 levels (31.9%) and type 3 at two levels (4.3%). The most frequent changes were observed at the C5/6 segment with type 2 Modic changes. The presence of Modic changes correlated with pre-existing posterior disc protrusion (odds ratio 3.31, 95% confidence interval 1.21–9.05) and neck pain (odds ratio 2.71, 95% confidence interval 1.08–6.80).ConclusionsIn the cervical spine over a 20-year period, type 2 Modic changes were most frequent at the C5/6 segment. The Modic changes were associated with pre-existing disc degeneration and neck pain but not with age, BMI, smoking, shoulder stiffness, arm pain or numbness.     

颈椎Modic改变与颈椎退行性疾病的关系

目的探讨颈椎Modic改变与颈椎退行性疾病之间的关系。方法对78例Modic改变患者的颈椎退行性疾病进行统计,分析其与Modic改变之间的关系。结果 78例患者中30例(38.5%)诊断为轻度颈椎退行性疾病,26例(33.3%)诊断为中度颈椎退行性疾病,22例(28.2%)诊断为重度颈椎退行性疾病。结论颈椎Modic改变好发于老年患者,以Ⅱ型改变居多,多发生于C5~6、C6~7节段,与颈椎退行性疾病的程度无明显关系。     

Type 1 Modic changes was a significant risk factor for 1-year outcome in sick-listed low back pain patients: a nested cohort study using magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine

Background contextIt is not clear whether Modic changes (MC) is associated with low back pain (LBP) outcome.PurposeTo study associations between baseline degenerative manifestations and outcome in sick-listed LBP patients.Study designProspective nested cohort study based on a randomized controlled trial.Patient sampleOut of 325 sick-listed LBP patients, 141 were consecutively examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and included and 140 completed the study.Outcome measuresDegenerative manifestations of the lumbar spine were quantified; associations were studied in relation to the three primary outcomes: change of back+leg pain, change of function as measured by Roland-Morris questionnaire, and 1-year unsuccessful return to work (U-RTW).MethodsBy using a previously validated MRI protocol, a specialist in radiology, who had no access to clinical data, described the images. Associations were studied by linear and logistic regression with adjustment for previously identified prognostic factors for 1-year pain and function and for U-RTW.ResultsClinically, 43% of the patients had radiculopathy. Degenerative changes were prevalent with altered disc contours in 84%, high-intensity zones in 70%, and nerve root touch or impingement in 63% of the patients. MC was identified in 60% of the patients, 18% with Type 1 changes and 42% with Type 2 changes, Type 1 including both Type 1 and Type 1 in combination with Type 2. Patients with Type 1 changes reported more back pain and did not improve in pain or disability. They increased to include 30% of the patients with U-RTW at 1 year. Patients with Type 2 changes did not differ significantly from patients without MC but differed significantly from patients with Type 1 changes in all three outcomes. Other degenerative manifestations were not significantly associated with any of the three outcomes.ConclusionsThe only degenerative manifestation negatively associated with outcome was Type 1 MC that affected 18% of the cohort at baseline and implied an increased risk for no improvement in pain and function and for U-RTW, even after adjustment for other prognostic factors.     

Lifestyle and lifetime occupational exposures may not play a role in the pathogenesis of Modic changes on the lumbar spine MR images

BACKGROUND CONTEXTModic changes (MCs) have long been suspected as a pathologic cause of back pain. Although much attention has been focused on clinical perspectives, the etiology of MCs remains unclear. Although some studies have reported that sex, body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, and physical loading may associate with MCs, the observed associations are inconsistent among studies.PURPOSETo investigate associations between MCs and lifestyle and lifetime occupational exposures using a general population sample.STUDY DESIGNCross-sectional study.PATIENT SAMPLEThe study was an extension of the Hangzhou Lumbar Spine Study, a population-based study of mainland Chinese focusing on lumbar degenerative changes. A total of 644 randomly selected subjects from a typical community in Hangzhou, Eastern China participated.OUTCOME MEASURESThe presence and type of MCs in the lumbosacral spine were evaluated on sagittal magnetic resonance images. Demographics, lifestyle factors, and occupational exposures were measured using a structured interview.METHODSUnivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the associations of MCs with various environmental exposures.RESULTSAmong the 644 subjects (52.6±13.9 years; range 20–88 years) included in this study, 44.7% had MCs. In univariate regression analyses, the presence of MCs was associated with greater age, higher BMI, greater cigarette smoking, regular exercise, and absence of daily vehicle vibration. Modic changes were not univariately associated with sex or alcohol consumption. In addition, all occupational loading measurements were associated with the occurrence of MCs in univariate analyses, except work time spent in vehicles and work-related back injuries. However, in multivariate regression analyses, no statistically significant associations between the occurrence of MCs and lifestyle or lifetime occupational exposures were observed after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI.CONCLUSIONSAge is an important determinant of MCs, with BMI and sex also playing a role. Lifestyle and occupational factors appear to have minor effects, if any, on the pathogenesis of MCs in the lumbar spine.     

胸腔镜技术在胸椎、上腰椎前路手术的应用

目的探讨胸椎、上腰椎前路手术应用胸腔镜技术的可行性. 方法 5例胸、腰椎结核(T6～L2)行胸腔镜下结核病灶清除、植骨或非植骨术;3例椎体爆裂性骨折合并截瘫(T10～T12)及1例陈旧性椎体爆裂骨折合并马尾综合征(L1)行胸腔镜下脊髓减压、植骨、钢板螺丝钉内固定术;1例T3～4椎间盘突出伴脊髓压迫症行胸腔镜下减压融合术. 结果全部病例切口Ⅰ期愈合,CT或MRI显示病灶清除彻底,脊髓充分减压,除1例骨折复位、固定后仍有轻度成角畸形外,均复位满意,内固定可靠,位置良好. 结论胸椎、上腰椎疾患,不论是否并发脊髓、马尾神经压迫,都适宜在胸腔镜辅助下进行病灶清除术,必要时还可进行脊髓减压、脊柱前路植骨、内固定手术.     

腰椎终板退行性改变与髓核内炎症因子及下腰痛相关性研究

目的 探讨腰椎椎间盘终板退变(Modic改变,MC)与髓核内炎症因子浓度及下腰痛之间的相关性.方法 选取2008年1月至12月我院骨科40例腰椎退变性疾病手术治疗病人42个髓核组织作为研究样本.手术前记录病人病变椎间盘和正常椎间隙高度、MC高度,下腰痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)等相关信息.根据病人术前MRI影像上有无MC分...     

中老年腰腿痛患者腰椎终板Modic改变的分布情况及其与腰椎不稳的关系

目的:探讨中老年腰腿痛患者腰椎终板Modic改变的分布情况,分析其与腰椎不稳之间的关系。方法:随机选取2007年3月~2011年12月因腰腿痛在我院行腰椎MRI和常规X线片检查的年龄≥40岁的患者430例,男210例,女220例,年龄40~73岁。观察患者腰椎终板Modic改变的发生率、类型及分布特点;根据腰椎是否稳定分为腰椎稳定组和腰椎不稳定组,分析其与Modic改变之间的关系;腰椎稳定组患者分为腰椎曲度正常组和异常组,分析其与Modic改变之间的关系。结果:430例共计2150个腰椎椎间盘中,124例(28.84%)154个(7.16%)椎间盘终板存在Modic改变,其中Ⅰ型34例(7.91%)、34个椎间盘(1.58%),Ⅱ型72例(16.74%)、100个椎间盘(4.65%),Ⅲ型18例(4.19%)、20个椎间盘(0.93%);L2/3 14个,L3/4 24个,L4/5 50个,L5/S1 66个,其发生率分别为0.65%、1.12%、2.32%、3.07%;其中Modic改变位于终板前部79个,后部31个,整个终板44个;仅累及上终板52个,仅累及下终板41个,累及上、下终板61个。腰椎不稳定组终板Modic改变的发生率为36.68%,腰椎稳定组为19.90%,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);ModicⅠ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型中腰椎不稳的发生率分别为82.35%、69.44%、33.33%,三者差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);腰椎曲度正常组终板Modic改变的发生率为11.11%,腰椎曲度异常组为23.91%,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:中老年腰腿痛患者腰椎终板Modic改变以Ⅱ型最多见,以L4/5和L5/S1节段多发;其与腰椎不稳和腰椎曲度之间存在相关关系,ModicⅠ型改变与腰椎不稳相关性最强。     

退行性胸腰椎/腰椎后凸椎体终板Modic改变与脊柱骨盆矢状位参数相关性分析

目的探讨退行性胸腰椎/腰椎后凸椎体终板Modic改变(Thoracolumbar degenerative kyphosis/Lumbar degenerative kyphosis,TLDK/LDK)与脊柱骨盆矢状位参数的相关性。方法回顾性分析自2016-03—2018-03诊治的116例TLDK/LDK,记录T₁₀至S₁椎体出现Moidc改变的情况,并测量矢状位全脊柱X线片下脊柱-骨盆参数,分析Modic改变终板数量与矢状面偏移(Sagittal vertical axis,SVA)、胸椎后凸角(Thoracic kyphosis,TK)、胸腰后凸角(Thoracolumbar kyphosis,TLK)、腰椎前凸角(Lumbar lordosis,LL)、骨盆入射角(Pelvis incidence,PI)、骶骨倾斜角(Sacral slope,SS)、骨盆倾斜角(Pelvic tilt,PT)的相关性。结果 116例共1856个椎体终板均顺利完成检查,共62例184个椎体终板出现Modic改变,6例共12个椎体终板出现Ⅰ型改变,50例共137个椎体终板出现Ⅱ型改变,36例共35个椎体终板出现Ⅲ型改变。相关性分析结果显示出现椎体Modic改变的终板数量与LL、SS呈负相关,与PT成正相关(P<0.05)。结论 TLDK/LDK的Modic改变以Ⅱ型多见,Modic改变与LL、SS、PT存在相关性。     

HIZ与Modic改变及腰椎间盘退变的相关性研究

目的探讨下腰痛患者腰椎MRI上HIZ与Modic改变及腰椎间盘退变间的相关性特点。方法回顾性分析我院2013-01-2014-12间就诊的411例患者,根据患者腰椎MRI观察腰椎间盘退变、Modic改变及HIZ三者之间的相关关系。结果腰椎间盘退变与Modic改变在各节段均存在正相关,但各节段之间的关联性以邻近节段显著;L_(4-5)、L_5-S_1两个节段的腰椎退变程度与HIZ的出现存在正相关;腰椎间盘节段的Modic改变与HIZ之间并无显著相关性。结论 Modic改变及HIZ的出现均提示腰椎间盘的退行性变,而且Modic改变的出现提示了腰椎临近节段的退变,但两者均为独立性因素。     

腰痛患者下腰椎MRI上Modic改变与高信号区的发生情况及意义

目的:探讨腰痛患者下腰椎MRI上Modic改变与腰椎间盘局限性高信号区(high-intensity zone,HIZ)的发生情况及意义。方法:对511例腰痛患者(男263例,女248例;年龄20~70岁,平均48岁)腰椎MRI上L4/5和L5/S1节段的Modic改变和HIZ进行评估,统计两者及两者共存于同一节段的发生率。将有Modic改变和/或HIZ的椎间盘分为Modic组、Modic-HIZ组、HIZ组,比较3组的年龄、椎间盘高度、椎间盘退变程度、腰痛VAS和ODI评分。结果:511例患者中,190例(37.18%)209个节段有Modic改变,127例(24.85%)142个椎间盘有HIZ,18例(3.52%)18个节段出现Modic改变和HIZ共存的现象。HIZ组、Modic-HIZ组和Modic组分别为89例(124个节段)、18例(18个节段)、152例(191个节段),患者平均年龄分别为46.0±11.0岁、49.2±9.2岁和53.5±10.6岁,仅HIZ组和Modic组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);椎间盘平均高度分别为9.93±2.46mm、8.73±2.45mm和7.57±2.21mm,组间两两比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);3组椎间盘退变分级均≥Ⅲ级,其中Ⅳ级+Ⅴ级退变率分别为48.39%、72.22%和75.92%,仅HIZ组与Modic组、Modic-HIZ组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);腰痛VAS分别为8.39±0.32分、8.45±0.30分、8.61±0.54分,ODI评分分别为38.22±4.23分、38.45±4.16分、39.18±3.53分,3组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:腰痛患者下腰椎Modic改变和HIZ的发生率较高,但两者共存于同一节段的发生率低,当两者共存于同一节段时腰痛并不会明显加重。     

Large blood vessel stretch in lumbar spine through anterior surgical approach: An experimental study in adult goat

Background:

Various anterior lumbar surgical approaches, including the minimally invasive approach, have greatly improved in recent years. Vascular complications resulting from ALIF are frequently reported. Little information is available about the safety of large blood vessel stretch. We evaluated the right side stretch limit (RSSL) of the abdominal aorta (AAA) and the inferior vena cava (IVC) without blood flow occlusion and investigated stretch-induced histological injury and thrombosis in the iliac and femoral arteries and veins and the stretched vessels.

Materials and Methods:

The RSSL of blood vessels in five adult goats was measured by counting the number of 0.5-cm-thick wood slabs that were inserted between the right lumbar edge and the stretch hook. Twenty seven adult goats were divided into three groups to investigate histological injury and thrombosis under a stretch to 0.5 cm (group I) 1.5 cm (group II) for 2 h, or no stretch (group III). Blood vessel samples from groups I and II were analyzed on postsurgical days 1, 3, and 7. Thrombogenesis was examined in the iliac and femoral arteries and veins.

Results:

The RSSL of large blood vessels in front of L4/5 was 1.5 cm from the right lumbar edge. All goats survived surgery without complications. No injury or thrombosis in the large blood vessels in front of the lumbar vertebrae and in the iliac or femoral arteries and veins was observed. Under light microscopy, group I showed slight swelling of endothelial cells in the AAA and no histological injury of the IVC. The AAA of group II showed endothelial cell damage, unclear organelles, and incomplete cell connections by electron microscopy.

Conclusions:

The AAA and IVC in a goat model can be stretched by ≤0.5 cm, with no thrombosis in the AAA, IVC, iliac or femoral arteries and veins.     

经腰椎椎间孔开窗入路的解剖学研究与临床应用

 目的 设计经腰椎椎间孔开窗入路,探讨其可行性及临床应用效果。方法 选取30具成人腰椎尸体标本,模拟L₁～S₁各节段经椎间孔开窗入路操作,充分显露出口神经根及椎间盘后外侧,实体测量完全显露椎间孔时椎板和关节突的切除和剩余范围;在开窗前、开窗后行CT扫描三维重建,测量切除和剩余范围。选取31例成人腰椎三维CT图像,测量L₁～S₁各节段经椎间孔开窗入路切除的骨结构范围。采用可动式脊柱内镜下经椎间孔开窗入路治疗腰椎极外侧椎间盘突出症10例,男4例,女6例。L_3-4 2例,L_4-5 4例,L₅S₁ 4例。结果 自L₁至S₁椎板峡部和关节突关节逐渐增宽,横突逐渐下移,峡部外缘和上关节突外缘到硬膜囊外缘的距离逐渐增大;在L_1,2、L_2,3和L_3,4节段经椎间孔开窗入路切除较少的椎板峡部和关节突即可显露硬膜囊外缘和椎间盘后外侧;在L_4,5尤其L₅S₁节段椎间孔开窗操作空间小,需切除较多的椎板峡部和关节突关节外缘才能显露椎间盘后外侧,硬膜囊显露较困难,下内侧月牙形开窗可保留较多的椎板和下关节突连接。临床应用10例手术均顺利完成,显露充分,彻底摘除了突出和游离的椎间盘髓核。随访6～24个月,末次随访时Macnab评分优8例、良2例,均无腰椎失稳表现。结论 经腰椎椎间孔开窗入路可在保留椎板和下关节突连续性的基础上充分显露椎间孔,内镜下操作、下内侧月牙形开窗可以保留更多的骨性结构,治疗腰椎极外侧椎间盘突出症具有较好的可行性。     

Modic改变在腰腿痛病例中的分布及相关因素分析

目的探讨腰椎终板Modic改变在腰腿痛病例中的的临床分布特点，并探讨发生Modic改变的相关因素。方法选择2005年一年内因腰痛或坐骨神经痛行腰椎MR检查和常规X线检查的患者1223例，分析腰椎MRI中终板Modic改变在椎间盘节段、年龄和椎间盘退变分类中的分布特点及其相关因素。结果1223例6115个腰椎椎间盘中，257例（21．0％）320个椎间盘（5．2％）邻近终板发生M0dic改变，其中Ⅰ型48例（3．9％）51个椎间盘（0．8％），Ⅱ型206例（16．8％）266个椎间盘（4．3％）、Ⅲ型3例（0．2％）3个椎间盘（0．05％）。椎间盘节段L5S1 168个、L4-5 95个、L3-4 29个、L2-3 18个、L1-2 10个，发生率分别为13．7％、7．8％、2．4％、1．5％、0．8％。突出、脱出和滑脱病例发生率较高（辟0．00）。女性发生率高于男性（P=0．005）。40岁以上是Modic改变发生较多的年龄段（P=0．001）。椎间盘退变程度、椎间盘节段与年龄均和Modic改变具有显著相关性（P=0．000）。回归方程为Y=-5．955＋0．198A＋1．528L＋1．883D（Y为M0dic改变，A为年龄，L为椎间盘节段，D为椎间盘退变程度），P=0．000，EXP值：D=6．571，L=4．609，A=1．220。结论腰椎终板Modic改变和椎间盘退变、椎间盘节段和年龄之间存在相关关系，椎间盘退变是最重要的影响因素。Modic改变Ⅱ型最多，Ⅰ型次之，Ⅲ型最少；多发生于L4-5和L5S1椎间盘节段；女性高于男性；40岁以上是易发年龄。     

下腰椎椎间孔形态与椎间盘高度丢失的相关性研究

目的描述下腰椎椎间孔的形态及椎间盘高度丢失时椎间孔形态的变化。方法取正常的成年新鲜尸体下腰椎标本8具(L3～S1),观察标本在不同状态(椎间盘完整和椎间盘破坏)及不同加载条件(0、300、500N)下L4,5 和L5S1椎间孔的形态及其和神经根的解剖关系,测量椎间孔的高度、最大宽度、最小宽度,于X线侧位片上测量椎间盘前、后高度。结果在未加载的自然状态下,椎间孔上大下小,呈倒置的泪滴形,神经根位于椎间孔上部。在椎间盘完整的状态下,加载500N时,椎间孔形态及其与神经根关系的变化不明显。摘除髓核,随着加载量逐渐增大,椎间孔逐渐缩小、变形,神经根被推挤向同位椎弓根的下缘;椎间孔高度、最大宽度和椎间盘前高、后高逐渐减小,与未加载时比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。经多元线性回归分析,椎间孔高度与椎间盘后高、前高呈线性相关。结论椎间盘高度丢失与椎间孔形态改变关系密切,椎间孔形态改变增加了神经根卡压的危险性。     

The prevalence of MRI-defined spinal pathoanatomies and their association with Modic changes in individuals seeking care for low back pain

Modic changes are of increasing interest, however their age and gender prevalence are not well described. To date, the associations between Modic changes and other common vertebral pathologies have only been described in small samples (n < 100). Our aim was, in a large dataset of people with low back pain, to (1) describe the prevalence of a range of spinal pathoanatomies, and (2) examine the association between Modic changes and stages of intervertebral disc (IVD) pathology. Common pathologies were coded from the lumbar spine MRIs from 4,233 consecutive people imaged while attending a publicly-funded secondary care outpatient facility in Denmark. Prevalence data were calculated by pathology and by vertebral level. Prevalence was also calculated by age and gender categories for Modic changes. The association between stages of IVD pathology (degeneration, bulge, herniation) and Modic changes at L4/5 and L5/S1 was expressed using prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of Modic changes and IVD pathology were greater in L4/5 and L5/S1, compared with the upper lumbar spine. There was no significant gender difference in prevalence of Modic changes (p = 0.11). The prevalence of IVD disc pathology occurring concurrently with Modic changes ranged from 11.5 to 17.5% (Type 1), 8.5 to 12.7% (Type 2) and 17.1 to 25.6% (Type 1 and/or 2) while the prevalence occurring in the absence of Modic changes ranged from 0.5 to 6.3% (Type 1), 0.3 to 4.9 (Type 2), 0.8 to 9.7% (Type 1 and/or 2). The associated PR for IVD pathology occurring concurrently with Modic changes ranged from 1.8 to 29.2 (p < 0.05). The highest PR (29.2) was between degeneration and Modic changes, indicating that it is rare for Modic changes to occur without disc degeneration. Spinal pathoanatomy was common in this population, particularly IVD pathologies, and a consistent trend of a relatively greater prevalence in the lower lumbar spine was identified. Modic changes were more likely to be present among individuals with IVD pathology than without, which may implicate mechanical factors as being one aetiological pathway for Modic changes, although other hypotheses may equally explain this association.     

MRI上腰椎终板信号改变的影响因素分析———性别、体重、劳动量及吸烟与Modic改变的相关性

目的:探讨腰腿痛患者腰椎MRI上终板Modic改变的分布特点及其相关因素。方法:回顾性分析我院2009年2月～2010年10月收治的210例腰腿痛患者腰椎MRI中Modic改变的发生率及类型,并评估Modic改变与性别、体重、劳动量及吸烟等因素的相关性。结果:47例患者共58个椎间盘邻近椎板存在Modic改变,占入选患者的22.4%。其中男16例;女31例,ModicⅠ型、Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型的人数分别为16例、25例、6例,出现Modic改变的节段为L5/S1(28个)、L4/5(17个)、L3/4(9个)、L2/3(4个)。在肥胖人群中Modic改变的发生率高于正常体重和超重人群(P<0.05),重体力劳动者的发生率高于一般劳动者(P<0.05),劳动量和体重与ModicⅢ型改变有相关性(P<0.05),与其他分型无明显相关性(P>0.05)。吸烟与Modic改变无明显相关性(P>0.05)。结论:患者的性别、体重及劳动量等因素与Modic改变的发生具有相关性,生物力学损伤可能在Modic改变中发挥着重要作用。     

A longitudinal study for incidence of low back pain and radiological changes of lumbar spine in asymptomatic Japanese military young adults

Introduction

The relation between radiological abnormalities on lumbar spine and low back pain (LBP) has been debated, presumably because of potential biases related to heterogeneity in selection of the subjects, radiological abnormalities at entry, or its cross-sectional observation in nature. Therefore, the aim of this study of a selected population of asymptomatic Japanese Self Defense Forces (JSDF) young adults male with normal lumbar radiographs was to investigate the incidence of newly developed lumbar degenerative changes at middle age and to study their association to LBP.

Subjects and methods

In 1990, 84 JSDF male military servicemen aged 18 years, without a history of LBP and radiological abnormal findings, were enrolled. After 20 years, 84 subjects were underwent repeated X-ray and completed questionnaires on current LBP and lifestyle factors.

Results

The prevalence of LBP was demonstrated 59 %, with 85 % of them showing mild pain. Analysis of lumbar radiographs revealed that 48 % had normal findings and 52 % had degenerative changes. The association between LBP and life style factors was not demonstrated. Lumbar spine in subjects with LBP was more degenerated than in those without. Although disc space narrowing and LBP did not achieve a statistical significance, a significant correlation existed between vertebral osteophyte and LBP in univariate and multivariate analysis (OR 3.0; 95 % CI 1.227–7.333).

Discussion and conclusions

This longitudinal study demonstrated the significant association between vertebral osteophyte and incidence of mild LBP in initially asymptomatic and radiologically normal subjects. These data provide the additional information concerning the pathology of LBP, but further study is needed to clarify the clinical relevance.