The role of body mass index (BMI), serum estrogen level and bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar osteoarthritis and low back pain in postmenopausal women

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the role of BMI, estrogen level and BMD in lumbar osteoarthritis and lower back pain in postmenopausal women.Material and Methods: The present study is a prospective study carried out in the department of Orthopedics, Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajsamand, Rajasthan during the period of 1 year from April 2018 to April 2019. It includes 70 postmenopausal women, aged 50-75 years attended orthopaedic department with the complaint of low backache for at least 3 months. 70 premenopausal healthy women aged 25-45 years were also included in the study as control group. BMI, serum estrogen level and BMD were measured in both the groups and compared.Results: Age of the patient’s ranges from 50 to 75 years with the mean age of 62.9±5.6 years. The average post-menopausal period was 8.7 years. Mean body mass index calculated was 26.3±1.6 kg/m2 in postmenopausal group and was 24.1±1.2 in controls. Mean estrogen level was 23.9±4.6 pg/mL in postmenopausal women and 141.8±11.6 pg/mL in controls. Mean Lumbar (L1-L4) bone mineral density was 0.856±0.181 g/cm2 in postmenopausal group and 1.147±0.153 g/cm2 in controls. Out of 70 patients, 61 (87.14%) patients were having changes of lumbar OA in x-ray while 9 patients (12.85%) were having normal lumbosacral x-ray finding. None of the controls were having changes of osteoarthritis.Conclusion: Postmenopausal stage of life is associated with increased incidence of low back pain. Low estrogen level, Increased BMI and low BMD are the factors, significantly correlated with the occurrence of lumbar osteoarthritis and lower back pain in postmenopausal women