The association of lumbar disc degeneration with lumbar vertebral trabecular volumetric bone mineral density in an urban population of young and middle-aged community-dwelling Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study

Introduction Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (LDD) and osteoporosis (OP) are age-related conditions that induce low back pain and have an impact on quality of life. The relationship between LDD and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) is, however, contentious and ever-changing. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between lumbar vertebral volumetric BMD (vBMD) and LDD in an urban population of young and middle-aged community-dwelling Chinese adults. Materials and methods 719 participants were recruited from among the subjects enrolled in a 10-year longitudinal study of degeneration of the spine and knee being conducted at the Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. The severity of LDD was graded using the five-grade Pfirrmann classification, and lumbar vertebral vBMD was measured using quantitative computed tomography (QCT). The relationship between the grade of intervertebral disc degeneration and lumbar vertebral vBMD was analyzed, and multiple linear regression was performed to adjust for covariates. Results The mean lumbar vBMD decreased as the grade of LDD increased (171.5 g/cm 3 , 147.8 g/cm 3 , and 124.3 g/cm 3 , respectively; P