MRI-derived lumbo-pelvic angles and lumbar discopathy in adults with low back pain from the Gaza Strip: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective To examine the association between lumbo-pelvic angles (LPAs) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) detected discopathy in adults with low back pain (LBP) in the Gaza Strip and to establish local reference values for LPA measurements. Methodology Prospective cross-sectional study, 200 adults with LBP referred for lumbosacral MRI at two major hospitals in Gaza Strip. 1.5T MRI scanners were used, and Lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), sacral kyphosis angle (SKA) and sacral table angle (STA) were measured on mid-sagittal T2 images. Discopathy characteristics were recorded, and disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index. Result Of the 200 participants (mean age 45.7±13.6 years; 52.5% male), discopathy was most common at L4/L5 (89.5%), L5/S1 (67%) and L3/L4 (40.5%). LPAs were not significantly associated with discopathy involvement, type or severity, except for SKA discopathy severity at L3/4 ( p =0.044). LPA measures were consistent across age groups, though LLA and STA were lower in males ( p