Gender-specific analysis for the association between trunk muscle mass and spinal pathologies

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between trunk muscle mass and spinal pathologies by gender. This multicenter cross-sectional study included patients aged ≥ 30 years who visited a spinal outpatient clinic. Trunk and appendicular muscle mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) score for low back pain, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ5D) score were investigated to evaluate spinal pathology. The association between trunk muscle mass and these parameters was analyzed by gender using a non-linear regression model adjusted for patients' demographics. We investigated the association between age and trunk muscle mass. We included 781 men and 957 women. Trunk muscle mass differed significantly between men and women, although it decreased with age after age 70 in both genders. Lower trunk muscle mass was significantly associated with ODI, SVA, and EQ5D score deterioration in both genders; its association with VAS was significant only in men. Most parameters deteriorated when trunk muscle mass was < 26 kg in men and < 19 kg in women. Lower trunk muscle mass was associated with lumbar disability, spinal imbalance, and poor quality of life in both genders, with significant difference in muscle mass.

Figure 1

(A) Association between age and trunk muscle mass adjusted for body mass index (BMI). Trunk muscle mass declined with age in both men and women (p < 0.001, p for non-linear < 0.001). (B) Association between age and appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted for BMI. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass declined with age in both genders (men: p < 0.001, p for non-linear = 0.243; women: p < 0.001, p for non-linear = 0.721). Gray zone indicates 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 2

Association between trunk muscle mass and log of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) adjusted for patients’ demographics. Lower trunk muscle mass significantly associated with deterioration of log ODI in both genders (men: p < 0.001, p for non-linear = 0.127; women: p < 0.001, p for non-linear = 0.002). Gray zone indicates 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 3

Association between trunk muscle mass and log of visual analog scale (VAS) score for low back pain adjusted for patients’ demographics. Lower trunk muscle mass significantly associated with increased log of the VAS score only for men (men: p = 0.015, p for non-linear = 0.038; women: p = 0.094, p for non-linear = 0.237). Gray zone indicates 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 4

Association between trunk muscle mass and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) adjusted for patients’ demographics. Lower trunk muscle mass significantly associated with increased SVA in both genders (men: p = 0.008, p for non-linear = 0.081; women: p = 0.006, p for non-linear = 0.865). Gray zone indicates 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 5

Association between trunk muscle mass and EuroQoL 5 dimension (EQ5D) adjusted for patients’ demographics. Lower trunk muscle mass significantly associated with poor EQ5D in both genders (men: p < 0.001, p for non-linear = 0.014; women: p < 0.001, p for non-linear = 0.003). Gray zone indicates 95% confidence intervals.