BODY MASS INDEX RELATIONSHIP WITH LUMBAR RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS AMONG PATIENTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN IN USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL SOKOTO

Abstract

Background: Adolphe Quetelet's Body Mass Index (BMI) is linked to obesity, higher mortality rates, and musculoskeletal diseases. Understanding fat-bone relationships could lead to new treatments for osteoporosis and low back pain. Imaging techniques like radiography diagnose low back pain. Low back pain prevalence is increasing, but obesity and body mass index may contribute. No information exists on concurrent findings and correlation between radiographic lumbar findings, body mass index, and chronic low back pain features. Objective: To investigate the association between body weights, body mass index, age, features and clinical findings in patients with low back pain. Materials and Method: A prospective study of 91 patients who presented for radiographic examination of the lumbar spine due to low back pain, at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, was conducted from July to October 2019 Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23.0 was used to analyze the data, using Pearson correlation function. Result: The frequency of males referred for the radiographic examination of the lumbar spine due to low back pain was more than females, 58.1% against (41.9%). For the concluded clinical diagnosis, the highest frequency of pathology for referred patients was spondylosis. There was no significant association and there is negative correlation between BMI and the concluded clinical diagnosis (p≤0.05). Conclusion: This result shows that males are referred for radiographic examination of the lumbar spine due to LBP than females.it shows no significant correlation and there is negative association between BMI and the concluded clinical diagnosis made. The occupational contribution was also noted.