ASSESSMENT OF VERTEBRAL PATHOLOGIES ON MRI AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH AGE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
Keywords:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Lumbar spondylosis; Vertebral pathologies; Degenerative changes; Comorbidities; Age; Psychological factors; Biopsychosocial approach.Abstract
Objective: To assess MRI-identified vertebral pathologies and their associations with age, while highlighting their potential clinical and psychosocial implications. **
Design: Cross sectional study. **
Place: Department of Radiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore,
Duration: 3 months.
Methodology: A total of 164 patients aged 30-70 years who had back pain and confirmed vertebral pathologies by MRI were included in this study of a cross-sectional design and selected using convenient sampling. Patients who have severe spinal surgery, malignancy, chronic infection, metallic implants or pregnancy were excluded. MRI scanning was done with a 1.5-Tesla machine with T1 and T2-weighted sequences, and multiplanar imaging. The data were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 24. Chi-square and independent-samples t-tests were used to determine whether there were association between the vertebral pathologies, age and relevant clinical variables. Psychological variables were not measured directly in this study, but were included in the biopsychosocial context.
Results: Compressive disc bulge was the most common (64.0%), degenerative changes (43.9%) and lumbar spondylosis (34.8%). There was a significant association between age and lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes (p < 0.001). Selected pathologies were associated to diabetes, hypertension and smoking. But significant regional associations were also found.
Conclusion: Age and comorbidities were related to particular vertebral abnormalities. Further research is recommended using a biopsychosocial approach including the assessment of psychological factors.
