JFSF Vol 7, No 2, June 2022, p.52-59
doi: 10.22540/JFSF-07-052
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Original Article
The relationship between radiological paraspinal lumbar measures and clinical measures of sarcopenia in
older patients with chronic lower back pain
Denys Gibbons1, Jake M. McDonnell1,2, Daniel P. Ahern1,3, Gráinne Cunniffe1, Rose-Anne Kenny3, Roman Romero-Ortuno3, Joseph S. Butler1,4
- National Spinal Injuries Unit, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
Keywords: Low back pain, Lumbar spine, Radiology, Sarcopenia, Spine surgery
Abstract
Objectives: Sarcopenia is postulated to be an influential factor in chronic low back pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between traditional clinical measures of sarcopenia and novel radiographic methods which evaluate overall muscle status, such as adjusted psoas cross-sectional area (APCSA) and degree of fat infiltration (%FI) in paraspinal muscles, in patients with chronic low back pain.
Methods: Prospective study performed at our institution from 01/01/19-01/04/19. Inclusion criteria were patients ≥65 years old not requiring surgical intervention presenting to a low back pain assessment clinic.
Results: 25 patients were identified (mean age: 73 years, 62% male). On spearman’s analyses, %FI shared a significant relationship with hand grip strength (r=-0.37; p=0.03), chair rise (r=0.38; p=0.03), SC (r=0.64; p<0.01), and visual analogue scale scores (r=-0.14; p=0.02). Comparably, a statistically significant correlation was evident between APCSA and %FI (r=-0.40; p=0.02) on analysis.
Conclusion: The results of our study demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between APCSA and %FI in the multifidus and erector spinae muscles. Further significant associations of relatability were depicted with traditional clinical measures of sarcopenia. Thus, %FI may be a supplemental indicator of the sarcopenic status of patients presenting with chronic low back pain.