Relationship between Degenerative Disc Disease and Lipid Profiles in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Lumbar degenerative disc disease (LDDD) is associated with obesity; however, there are only a few studies on the relationship between LDDD and the specific risk of obesity, such as dyslipidemia. We aimed to identify the independent association between LDDD and serum lipid profiles in older adults.METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed with the patients with LDDD, such as spinal stenosis and lumbosacral disc prolapse, and control patients. Sixty-eight patients with LDDD aged 65–85 years were recruited in the LDDD group. Thirty-seven age- and sex-matched controls without LDDD were also enrolled. Logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index to assess the association between LDDD and serum lipid profiles.RESULTS: Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the LDDD group. The subjects with abnormal triglyceride level (>150 mg/dL) showed a significant odds ratio (7.274, 95% confidence interval [1.552–34.095], P-value=0.012) for LDDD.CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that higher total cholesterol level may be associated with the patients with LDDD. Therefore, the association between serum triglyceride level and risk of LDDD must be studied further.

Facture of the Pars Interarticularis with or without Spondylolisthesis in an Adult Population in a Developing Country: Evaluation by Multidetector Computed Tomography

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in a general adult population unrelated to lower back pain as evaluated by multidetector computed tomography. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There is a significant paucity of information related to the prevalence of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis and its degenerative changes in a general adult population unrelated to lower back pain in developing countries. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scans performed between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2015 for various clinical indications. Patients with lower back pain, with a history of trauma or road traffic accident, or referred from orthopedic or neurosurgery departments were excluded to avoid any bias. CT scans were reviewed in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes using bone window settings for evaluating spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. RESULTS: Of 4,348 patients recruited, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis were identified in 266 (6.1%) and 142 (3.3%) patients, respectively. Age was significantly higher in both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis patients than in those without spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (47.19±15.45 vs. 42.5±15.96, p60 years old, both spondylolysis (p=0.018) and spondylolisthesis (p=0.025) were significantly more prevalent in females. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pars interarticularis fracture observed higher with gradual increase in the prevalence with advancing age. In particular, preponderance was significantly higher among older females.