Ann Rehabil Med.  2023 Dec;47(6):459-467. 10.5535/arm.23075.

The Relationship Between Low Back Pain and Sagittal Spinal Alignment and Back Muscle Mass in Korean Fishery Workers

• Kook M
• Kim I
• Seo J
• Kim H
• Nam H
• Han N

• KMID: 2549727
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23075

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the relationship between low back pain (LBP) and sagittal spino-pelvic parameters along with the relationship between LBP and back muscle mass in Korean male and female fishery workers.
Methods
This retrospective study included a total of 146 subjects who underwent Fishermen’s health survey conducted between June 2018 and August 2020. LBP was evaluated through visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Sagittal spino-pelvic parameters were measured from whole spine standing X-rays. Back muscle cross-sectional areas were identified through lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and body composition was analyzed through bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Results
The study included 75 males and 71 females, with an average age of 58.33 years for males and 56.45 years for females. Female subjects exhibited higher VAS and ODI scores, larger pelvic tilt (PT) and trunk fat mass and smaller trunk muscle mass compared to males. In female, ODI positively correlated with sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and PT. No significant correlations were found between ODI scores and body composition in either sex. The high ODI group showed greater SVA, PT, and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis and higher trunk fat/muscle ratio. Psoas muscle mass, total and skeletal muscle mass and trunk muscle mass of that group were smaller than those of low ODI group.
Conclusion
Spino-pelvic parameters and back muscle mass were associated with ODI and there were differences between Korean male and female fishery workers.

Keyword

Low back pain; Spine; Body composition; Back muscles; Fisheries

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Flow chart of study population selection. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; BIA, bioelectrical impedance analysis.

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  Fig. 2. Measurement of spino-pelvic parameters. LL, lumbar lordosis; SVA, sagittal vertical axis; SS, sacral slope; PI, pelvic incidence; PT, pelvic tilt.

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  Fig. 3. Axial view of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging. The cross-sectional areaof psoas major (PM), erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF) muscles were obtained on axial T2 weighted image at the lower edge of L4 spinal level.

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