A comparison of radiographic degeneration features of older Chinese women and older Italian Caucasian women with a focus on thoracic spine.
Aging Clin Exp Res
; 35(11): 2583-2591, 2023 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37646923
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Compared with Caucasians, East Asians have a lower incident of back pain, lower prevalence and severity of osteoporotic vertebral fracture and lumbar spine degeneration.AIM:
This study compares radiographic spine degeneration features of older Chinese women (as an example of East Asians) and older Italian women (as an example of Caucasians) with a focus on the thoracic spine.METHODS:
From two population-based epidemiological studies conducted in Hong Kong, China and Rome, Italy, 297 pairs (mean age 73.6 years) age-matched older community women's lateral spine radiographs were sampled. Existence (or absence) of seven degeneration features were assessed including (1) hyper-kyphosis, (2) disc space narrowing (T3/T4 ~ T11/T12), (3) osteoarthritic (OA) wedging (T4 ~ T12), (4) generalised osteophyte formation (T4 ~ T12); (5) acquired short vertebrae (T4 ~ T12), (6) Schmorl node (T4 - L5), (7) disc calcification (T4-L5).RESULTS:
Italian women were more likely to have hyper-kyphosis (53.4% vs 25.6%), disc space narrowing (34.4% vs. 17.2%), OA wedging (6.4% vs. 0.67%), Schmorl node (19.5% vs. 4.4%, all P < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in osteophyte formation (7.7% vs. 9.4%, P > 0.1) and acquired short vertebrae (8.0% vs. 10.4%, P > 0.1). Disc calcification was uncommon among both Chinese and Italians. DISCUSSION ANDCONCLUSION:
For the first time, this study documented a lower prevalence of a number of thoracic spine degeneration features among Chinese. This study further affirms the concept of a generally healthier spine in older Chinese relative to older Caucasians. The observed differences may reflect a foundational background influence of genetic predisposition that represents an important line of future research.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças da Coluna Vertebral
/
Vértebras Torácicas
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article