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. 2012 May;3(2):25-34.
doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1298615.

Risk factors for degenerative spondylolisthesis: a systematic review

John G Devine  1 , Jeannette M Schenk-Kisser, Andrea C Skelly
Affiliations

Risk factors for degenerative spondylolisthesis: a systematic review

John G Devine et al. Evid Based Spine Care J. 2012 May.

Abstract

Study design: Systematic literature review.

Rationale: Many authors have postulated on various risk factors associated with the pathogenesis of degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), yet controversies regarding those risk factors still exist.

Objective: To critically appraise and summarize evidence on risk factors for DS.

Methods: Articles published before October 15, 2011, were systematically reviewed using PubMed and bibliographies of key articles. Each article was subject to quality rating and was analyzed by two independent reviewers.

Results: From 382 citations, 30 underwent full-text review. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. All but two were considered poor quality. Female gender and higher facet joint angle were consistently associated with an increased risk of DS across multiple studies. Multiple studies also consistently reported no association between back pain and prolonged occupational sitting. Associations between age, parity, lumbosacral angle, lumbar lordosis, facet joint tropism, and pelvic inclination angles were inconsistent.

Conclusions: There appears to be consistent evidence to suggest that the risk of DS increases with increasing age and is greater for females and people with a greater facet joint angle.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Results of literature search.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The facet angle of a normal L4–5 lumbar segment.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Increased facet angle in an L4–5 lumbar segment with degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Example of facet tropism—the right-sided joint angel measure 16°, the left over 40°. It is possible that such asymmetry leads to premature wear of the facet joints and may predispose to degenerative spondylolisthesis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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