Prevalence and distribution of spinal osteoarthritis in women

Study Design. Retrospective review of lateral spinal thoracolumbar radiographs, obtained to rule out spinal injury after trauma, were scored for osteoarthritis. Objectives. The extent, prevalence, and distribution of spinal osteoarthritis in women aged 20-80 years was determined. Summary of Background Data. Radiographic evidence of disc space narrowing and osteophytosis is one method of assessing osteoarthritis, but population-based surveys of osteoarthritis have been limited due the dangers of exposing human subjects to radiographs. Consequently, the prevalence and the distribution of osteoarthritis in women have not been established. Methods. Average individual disc space narrowing and osteophytosis scores were assessed using an atlas method. Prevalence was determined for decadal age groups and spinal level (T4-L7). Results. The extent of osteoarthritis is weakly associated with age, while the prevalence of osteoarthritis increases with age. Two peaks in osteoarthritis prevalence are apparent: in the mid thoracic and lower lumbar spines. Conclusions. Although few younger women have high average scores, some older women have no radiographic sign of osteoarthritis, while others are severely affected. While the peak in osteoarthritis in the lumbar spine parallels the clinical symptom of low back pain, the more pronounced peak in the mid thoracic does not have a reported corresponding clinical symptom.