LALE ALTAN, BURCU METİN ÖKMEN, TİRAJE TUNCER, DİLŞAD SİNDEL, HASAN FATİH ÇAY, SİMİN HEPGÜLER, SELDA SARIKAYA, FİGEN AYHAN, AJDA BAL, MERAL BİLGİLİSOY, ERHAN ÇAPKIN, LALE CERRAHOĞLU, REMZİ ÇEVİK, DENİZ DÜLGEROĞLU, BERRİN DURMAZ, TUNCAY DURUÖZ, GÜLCAN GÜRER, SAVAŞ GÜRSOY, SAMİ HİZMETLİ, CAHİT KAÇAR, ECE KAPTANOĞLU, HİLAL ECESOY, MELTEM MELİKOĞLU, KEMAL NAS, HAKAN NUR, ŞÜHEDA ÖZÇAKIR, NİLAY ŞAHİN, ÖZLEM ŞAHİN, MERİH SARIDOĞAN, ÖMER FARUK ŞENDUR, İLHAN SEZER, GÜLNUR TAŞÇI BOZBAŞ, CANAN TIKIZ, HATİCE UĞURLU
Archives of Rheumatology - 2023;38(4):512-520
Objectives: The purpose of the study was to contribute further to this debated topic by investigating the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with the clinical picture in lumbar spondylosis patients. Patients and methods: This multicenter retrospective study (as part of the epidemiological project of the TLAR-OASG [Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Osteoarthritis Study Group]) included 514 patients (101 males, 413 females; mean age: 63.6±10.8 years; range, 40 to 85 years) who were diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis by clinical examination and direct X-ray between December 2016 and June 2018. Demographic characteristics of patients, Visual Analog Scale for pain, presence of radiating pain, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, straight leg raise test, deep tendon reflexes, neurogenic intermittent claudication symptoms, any decrease of muscle strength, and abnormality of sensation were recorded. Lumbar MRI findings of the patients were recorded as positive or negative in terms of disc herniation, intervertebral disc degeneration, root compression, osteophytes, spinal stenosis. Statistical analysis was done to assess the correlation between the clinical symptoms, physical examination, and MRI findings. Results: Correlation analysis of the MRI results and the clinical findings showed a significant correlation between straight leg raise test and root compression (p<0.001, r=0.328) and a significant correlation between neurogenic intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis (p<0.001, r=0.376). Roland-Morris disability questionnaire had a significant correlation with all MRI findings (p<0.05, r<0.200). Conclusion: The results of this study corroborate the notion that diligent patient history and physical examination are more valuable than MRI findings, even though a higher incidence of abnormal MRI findings have been obtained in patients with disability and dermatomal radiating pain.
