VERTEBRAL PAIN SYNDROME IN WOMEN AND MEN: CORRELATION WITH TRABECULAR BONE SCORE

Aim. To study the correlation between vertebral pain syndrome and trabecular bone score in women and men. Material and Methods. We have examined 798 people aged 30-87 years: 665 women and 133 men. Vertebral pain syndrome was observed in 564 (84.2%) women and 106 (79.7%) men. 101 (15.2%) women and 27 (20.3%) men did not have vertebral pain syndrome at any sites. The presence and level of pain in different parts of the spine were assessed by 4-component of 10-point visual analogue scale. Trabecular bone score (TBS) was determined by using the software "TBS Insight" on dual X-ray densitometer (GE Lunar, Prodigy). Statistical analysis was performed using software packages "Statistica 6.0". Results and Discussion. The individuals with vertebral pain syndrome have significantly worse TBS (L1-L4) in comparison with those without pain (t=-2.08, ð=0.04). In women with vertebral pain syndrome TBS L1-L4 was significantly lower (t=-2.76; p=0.006), which is not found in men (t=0.06; p=0.95) compared with those of the same gender without back pain. In people with pain in the cervical spine TBS L1-L4 is significantly higher among women (t=-3.18; p=0.002) and men (t=-2.51; p=0.02). The presence of pain in the neck part of the spine significantly positively correlated with TBS (L1-L4) (R=0.19; ð<0.05) only in women. In individuals with pain in thoracic and lumbar parts of the spine TBS (L1- L4) was lower in comparison with those without pain. Moreover, in women with pain in the thoracic and lumbar spine TBS L1-L4 was significantly lower (respectively t=-2.48; ð=0.01 and t=-4.28; ð=0.0002), in men - was not significantly different. The significant negative correlation was determined between the presence and level of pain in the thoracic (pain at the time of the survey, the average (the typical), the minimal and maximal) and lumbar (pain at the time of the survey, and maximal pain during prolonged walking and moving up and down stairs) spine in women. In men, no significant correlation was found. Conclusions. The reducing of trabecular bone score in women contributes to the development of pain in the thoracic and lumbar spine, and negatively correlates with the level of pain in these areas. The presence of pain in the thoracic and/or lumbar spine with lowered trabecular bone score can be an "early marker" of bone loss. Trabecular bone score in men did not significantly differ, and correlation depending on the presence of pain syndrome was not found. Key words: back pain, trabecular bone score, women, men