Objective
s: This study was done to examine the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and radiographic change of spine osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods
BMD of the lumbar spine and hip was measured, using dual x-ray energy absorptiometry, in 119 Korean women who visited our clinic with low back pain and anteroposterior X-ray of the lumbar spines was taken between 1997 and 1999. Radiographs were read for features of OA using Kellgren's classification. Definite radiographic OA was defined as Kellgren score≥2. The relationship between BMD and radiographic changes of OA was examined using correlation and multiple regression analysis.
Results
Mean BMD was lower in subjects with mild spine OA (Kellgren score=2; n=31) than non OA (n=73): 0.846±0.168 vs. 0.903±0.127 g/cm2 (p=0.212) in lumbar spine and 0.603±0.131 vs. 0.667±0.117 g/cm2 (p=0.053) in hip. Mean BMD in severe spine OA (Kellgren score>3; n=15) was 0.909±0.171 in lumbar spine and 0.581±0.115 g/cm2 in hip. There was little negative relationship between BMD of hip and radiographic spine OA (r=-0.152, p=0.056). There was no significant correlation between BMD of spine and radiographic spine OA (r=0.028, p=0.384). There was no effect of spine OA on BMD by multiple regression analysis.
Conclusion
These results show that BMD of spine or hip were not affected significantly by mild radiographic changes of spine OA. In severe spine OA, BMD of hip is more useful than that of spine in clinical application.
