Lumbar disc degeneration is significant correlated with lumbar spine volumetric BMD in male patients with NSLBP, except for the L5/S1 disc

Motivation: Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and osteoporosis (OP) are both possible contributors to non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). However, the relationship between LDD and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) used to assess OP remains unclear in men. Goal(s): To investigate the relationship between LDD and vBMD in male NSLBP patients. Approach: We assessed the relationship between the extent of LDD, obtained from MRI, and vBMD of vertebral bodies, measured using quantitative CT, in male NSLBP patients. Results: Our results showed that LDD was negatively correlated with vBMD in male NSLBP patients, with the L1/2-L4/5 disc being an independent influencing factor of vBMD. Impact: L1/2-L4/5 disc being an independent influencing factor of vBMD in male NSLBP patients. Further investigation can explore if the degree of L1/2-L4/5 intervertebral disc degeneration through MRI can predict OP, thereby reducing the occurrence of complications such as osteoporotic fractures.