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Contribution of vertebral deformities to chronic back pain and disability. The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research GroupAmong 2992 white women aged 65-70 years recruited from population-based listings, we measured radiographic vertebral dimensions of T5-L4 and calculated ratios of heights: anterior/posterior, mid/posterior, and posterior/posterior of either adjacent vertebra. The degree of deformity for each vertebra was analyzed in terms of the number of standard deviations (SD) that ratio differed from the mean ratio calculated for the same vertebral level in this population. We correlated the severity of each woman's worst vertebral deformity with back pain, back disability in six activities of daily living, and height loss since age 25. Only 39.4% of the cohort had no vertebral deformity; 10.2% had a deformity greater than or equal to 4 SD. Vertebral deformities less than 4 SD below the mean were not associated with increased back pain, disability, or loss of height. In contrast, women whose deformity was greater than or equal to 4 SD had a 1.9 (95% CI, 1.5-2.4) times higher risk of moderate to severe back pain and a 2.6 (95% CI, 1.7-3.9) times higher risk of disability involving the back; they were also 2.5 (95% CI, 2.0-3.2) times more likely to have lost greater than or equal to 4 cm in height. All three types of vertebral deformity (wedge, end plate, and crush) were equally associated with these outcomes. Multiple deformities less than 4 SD did not increase the likelihood of these three outcomes, but multiple deformities greater than or equal to 4 SD tended to be associated with increased back pain, disability, and height loss. This large cross-sectional study suggests that vertebral deformities cause substantial pain, disability, or loss of height only if vertebral height ratios fall 4 SD below the normal mean. Much back pain could not be attributed to vertebral deformities, suggesting other causes.
Document ID
20050000736
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ettinger, B.
(Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program Oakland, California)
Black, D. M.
Nevitt, M. C.
Rundle, A. C.
Cauley, J. A.
Cummings, S. R.
Genant, H. K.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Volume: 7
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0884-0431
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 5-RO1-AG05394
CONTRACT_GRANT: 1-RO1-AR35582
CONTRACT_GRANT: 1-RO1-AG05407
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal

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