Epidemiological and radiological findings of lumbar degenerative scoliosis in adult patients with low back pain

Background: DLS often accompanied by LBP, however, but few epidemiological study focused on them. The reported results varied considerably and enrolled fewer patients. Thus, it is difficult to know the distributions of DLS. Methods： A retrospective radiographic study enrolled 2193 patients (758 males and 1435 females) with LBP. Among the images, 1000 were taken in a standing position, and 1193 were shot supinely. Measurements included curve type, location, magnitude, coronal Cobb angle, lumbar curvature, and rotatory olisthesis. Results： 212 patients (53 males and 159 females) showed signs of DLS and the overall prevalence was 9.7％, in which women were more affected by DLS with a higher prevalence. Lumbar curvature was greater in the standing group than that in supine group (p=0.015). In DLS cases, Cobb angles averaged 15.3°( 10° to 54.5°), and the degrees of vertebral rotation mostly was grade I or II. There were more left curves than right ones (138:74), more lumbar curves than thoracolumbar ones (181:31). Lateral olisthesis was found in 140 cases and mostly located at L3/4 or L4/5. Coronal Cobb angle appeared positively correlated with apex vertebra rotation and the maximal lateral olisthesis, although negatively correlated with lumbar curvature. Apex vertebra rotation showed a positive linear correlation with maximal lateral olisthesis. Conclusions： The prevalence of DLS in patients with LBP was significantly elevated with age advances, especially in female patient population. Curve type, location, magnitude, coronal Cobb angle, lumbar curvature, and maximal anterioposterior and lateral olisthesis were important elements of radiographic parameters to establish an epidemiological evaluation for DLS.