Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2093-4378
eISSN 2093-4386
    J Korean Soc Spine Surg. 2006 Dec;13(4):255-261. Korean.
    Published online Dec 30, 2006.
    https://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2006.13.4.255
    Copyright © 2006 Korean Society of Spine Surgery
    Original Article

    The Assessment of Bone Mineral Density in The Lumbar Vertebra Using Quantitative Computed Tomography

    Te Hyun Youn, M.D. and Jong Sik Kim, M.D.
      • Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seonam University Namkwang Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Jong Sik Kim, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seonam University Namkwang Hospital, 120-1 Maruk-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 506-157, Korea. Tel: 82-62-370-7754, Fax: 82-62-371-3092, Email: jongos77@hanmail.net

    Abstract

    Study Design

    Retrospective study.

    Objectives

    This study evaluated the relationship between the bone mineral density (BMD) and low back pain and between BMD and the spinal fractures of postmenopausal women and to determine threshold value of the fracture.

    Summary of the Literature Review

    Low back pain was not associated with a decreased BMD, and BMD of the spine fracture group with osteoporosis was significantly lower than the non fracture group. The threshold of fracture was 99 mg/cm3 in the 90th percentile.

    Materials and Methods

    Of 324 subjects between January 2003 to December 2004, postmenopausal women, in whom the mean value of BMD and lumbar vertebrae (L2, L3, L4) were measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT), were given a questionnaire regarding the level of low back pain over the previous twelve months. The low back pain was divided several groups according to frequency: none, some of the time and most of the time. The spinal fracture was assessed by a simple radiology measurement and divided its into the fracture group and non fracture group. In addition, statistical analysis of the BMD with low back pain and with a spinal fracture was performed. The threshold value of the fracture was calculated using the Riggs method.

    Results

    Of the 324 subjects, there were 34 cases of spinal fractures in whom the fracture was not caused by high energy trauma. Among the non-fracture groups, low back pain was not associated with a lower BMD. The BMD of the spinal fracture group with osteoporosis was significantly lower than in the non fracture group (p<0.01). The threshold of fracture was 99 mg/cm3 in the 90th percentile.

    Conclusions

    It is recommended that the BMD be measured in women in whom more than 5 years has passed since menopause, even if they show no symptoms. In addition, osteoporosis patients with a BMD <99 mg/cm3 will need to be treated more intensively.

    Keywords
    BMD; QCT; Spinal fracture; Postmenopausal women

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    BMD change according to age in postmenopausal women

    Fig. 2
    The rate of loss of BMD with aging in postmenopausal women

    Tables

    Table 1
    Prevalence of back pain by BMD Z-score in non fracture group

    Table 2
    Comparison of BMD and frequency of spinal fracture in each age group

    Table 3
    Comparison of age and BMD in the non-fracture group and the fracture group

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    MeSH Terms
    Bone Density*
    Female
    Humans
    Low Back Pain
    Lumbar Vertebrae
    Menopause
    Osteoporosis
    Retrospective Studies
    Spinal Fractures
    Spine*
    Surveys and Questionnaires
    Metrics
    Share
    Figures
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    Tables
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