What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess lumbar MRI findings in patients with chronic low back pain and explore their links to age and sex.

May 25, 2026Open Access

Lumbar vertebral magnetic resonance imaging findings in chronic low back pain: The influence of age and sex

Key Points

This study aims to assess lumbar MRI findings in patients with chronic low back pain and explore their links to age and sex.
Retrospective review of MRI reports for 750 adults with chronic low back pain of at least 3 months duration.
Assessment of degenerative changes, disc herniation types, and nerve root compression across different age groups and sexes.
Disc herniation was found in 88.5% of patients, with significant increases in degenerative changes and disc herniation associated with older age (p<0.05).
The population was 69.6% female, with a median age of 45 years.
Sequestration was the least common finding at 0.7%.

Abstract

Aim: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a prevalent health problem with major clinical and socioeconomic consequences. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of lumbar vertebral magnetic resonance imaging (LVMRI) findings in CLBP patients and to analyze their associations with age and sex.Methods: This retrospective study included 750 adults presenting with CLBP (≥3 months) to a tertiary university hospital between June and December 2024. LVMRI reports were reviewed for degenerative changes, disc herniation subtypes (bulging, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration), and nerve root compression. Findings were compared across age groups (18–40, 41–60, ≥61 years) and by sex.Results: The patient population consisted of 69.6% females, with a median age of 45 years (IQR 34–54). Disc herniation was the most common finding (88.5%), while sequestration was the least frequent (0.7%). Degenerative changes and disc herniation significantly increased with age (p

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