ABSTRACT
Objective: Lumbosacral alignment is a crucial factor for an appropriate spinal function. Changes in spinal alignment lead to diminished body biomechanics. Additionally, lumbosacral alignment may affect quality of life, sagittal balance and fall risk in elderly. In this study, we aimed to compare lumbosacral alignment in geriatric and non-geriatric patients suffering from low back pain
Methods: A total of 202 [120 male and 82 female] patients who visited to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic with low back pain between January 2017 and August 2017 were enrolled in this study. Standing lateral lumbar radiographs were obtained from the electronic hospital database. Lumbar lordosis angle, sacral tilt, lumbosacral angle and lumbosacral disc angle were calculated on lateral standing lumbar radiographs
Results: The mean age of the non-geriatric group was 43.02+/-13.20 years, the geriatric group was 71.61+/-6.42 years. In geriatric patients, lumbar lordosis angle, sacral tilt and lumbosacral disc angle were significantly smaller [p = 0.042, p = 0.017 and p = 0.017].No significant differences were observed in lumbosacral angle between the groups [p = 0.508]
Conclusion: Our study indicates the specific changes in lumbosacral alignment with aging. Identifying these changes in lumbosacral alignment in the geriatric population will enable to create proper rehabilitation strategies
ABSTRACT
Objective: Ankylosing Spondylitis [AS] is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that mainly affects the axial spine. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are the main complications of AS. Vitamin D has functions on the immune system. In this study, we aimed to compare vitamin D levels and Bone Mineral Density [BMD] values between AS patients and controls
Methods: A total of 68 patients with axial AS and 34 healthy controls were enrolled in this study conducted between March 2018 and May 2018. Vitamin D concentrations, BMD values, disease activity, back mobility, functionality and radiologic damage were evaluated
Results: Vitamin D concentrations, the total BMD-femur and BMD-femur neck values were significantly lower in AS patients [p = 0.001, p = 0.011 and p = 0.003]. No significant correlations were detected between vitamin D levels and BMD-femur total, BMD-femur neck values, disease activity, back mobility, functionality and radiologic damage scores [p > 0.05]. Disease activity parameters were significantly and negatively correlated with total BMD-femur and BMD-femur neck values [p < 0.05]
Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that AS patients have lower vitamin D levels, total BMD-femur and BMD-femur neck values. Higher disease activity increases bone loss in AS. Regular measurement of BMD and vitamin D should be kept in mind when planning a treatment in AS