Abstract:

BACKGROUND: One way analysis of variance has been used to explore the influence of age and degeneration on lumbar spine motion. However, multiple analysis results are few, especially for patients with low back pain.
OBJECTIVE: To assess lumbar spine segmental range of motion (ROM) with flexion/extension radiographs using multiple regression analysis.
METHODS: A total of 120 patients with low back pain were selected, including 32 females and 88 males with an average age of 51.13 years (ranging 23 to 74 years). Segmental ROM and Kellgren score (KS) of degeneration were assessed. Multivariate analyses were performed for each level. Independent variables evaluated were: ① age, ②sex, ③height, body mass, body mass index, ROM of segment before measurement, ROM at the level above, ROM at the level below (except L₅-S₁).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Body mass index had a significant negative association with ROM at L _1-5. Age had a significant negative association with ROM at L _3-5. KS at the level of interest had significant negative association with ROM only at L₅-S₁. KS at the below level had significant negative association with ROM only at L _4-5. At adjacent levels, KS, body mass, sex and height did not have a significant association with ROM at any level. Results showed that age and body mass index were the strongest statistical predictors of ROM, and degeneration was a significant predictor of ROM only at L₅-S₁.