Analysis of the Relationship Between Modic Change and Spinopelvic Parameters in the Sagittal Plane

Abstract

BACKGROUND This study explored relationship between Modic change and spinopelvic parameters in the sagittal plane. MATERIAL AND METHODS We divided 80 patients into 4 groups: 60 subjects diagnosed with Modic changes (MC) were enrolled in the MC groups (MC1, MC2, and MC3) with each MC type consisting of 20 subjects, and 60 healthy subjects were enrolled in the control group. Spinopelvic parameters in the sagittal plane were calculated to assess their associations with MC. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore possible risk factors for MC. RESULTS PI and LL in the MC groups were significant smaller than in the control group (p<0.05). PI, SS, and PT were significantly correlated with LL with a correlation coefficient of 0.75PI, 0.71SS and 0.69PT (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression of the significant variables showed that PI (less than 43.2°) is an independent significant risk factor for MC. ROC analysis showed that moderate diagnostic value was obtained for the significant variable, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that PI is risk factor for MC, and smaller PI is associated with higher incidence of MC.

Figure 1

The radiographic spinopelvic parameters on lumbar X-ray. PI – pelvic incidence, SS – sacral slope, PT – pelvic tilt, LL – lumbar lordosis.

Figure 2

Logistic regression and ROC analysis. Logistic regression and ROC analysis revealed a cut-off value for PI of 43.2°, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.80. PI – pelvic incidence.

Figure 3

Pearson correlation analysis of the PI and LL, and SS and LL (A, PI vs. LL; B, SS vs. LL). PI, SS, and PT were significantly correlated with LL, with correlation coefficients of 0.75_PI,0.71_SS, and 0.69_PT. PI – pelvic incidence, SS – sacral slope, LL – lumbar lordosis.