Differences in lumbar and pelvic parameters among African American, Caucasian and Asian populations

Abstract

Purpose: Ethnic differences in spino-pelvic parameters among a healthy population are poorly defined in the literature. The purpose of this study was to document sagittal spino-pelvic parameters in a sample of African Americans and to compare them with previously reported data for Caucasians and Asians.

Methods: African American individuals without spine pathology who had standing lateral radiographs were identified. Radiographs were measured to determine the following parameters: lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS). Data of adult subjects were compared with those previously published for Caucasians (n = 709) and Asians (n = 312).

Results: These measurements (LL, PI, PT, and SS) obtained for the 36 African American subjects aged 18 years or older [15 men and 21 women; mean age 26.6 ± 8.7 range (18-53)] The mean LL, PI, PT and SS values were 57.2°, 57.7°, 15.9° and 41.4°, respectively. A comparative analysis showed the means values for PI was greater in the African American than in Caucasian (57.7° vs. 52.6°, p = 0.007), and than in Asian (57.7° vs. 48.7°, p < 0.001). The linear regression model for the LL as a function of PI were "predict LL = 0.41 × PI + 33.7" in African American, "predict LL = 0.58 × PI + 24.3" in Caucasian, and "predict LL = 0.54 × PI + 22.0" in Asian, respectively.

Conclusion: Significant differences in sagittal spino-pelvic parameters among races were seen. These differences should be considered when planning surgical reconstruction for spinal surgery. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Keywords: African American; Ethnic groups; Pelvic incidence; Pelvic parameters; Pelvic tilt.