Spine MRI Patterns and Predictors of Disability in Patients with Lower Back Pain. A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia. 2020.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) has become one of the most serious public health problems with substantial socioeconomic implication. Degenerative disc disease one of the commonest cause of LBP. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely utilized in evaluation patients with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. However there are contradictors reports with regards to association of MRI findings of lumbar spine and patients’ symptoms. Objective: This study is aimed determine correlation of degree of disability with lumbar spine MRI findings in patients with LBP at University of Gondar comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UoGCSH), North West Ethiopia, 2020. Methods and Materials. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 72 consecutively enrolled patients with lower back pain who underwent lumbar MRI scan. Degree of disability was measured using Oswestry disability Index (ODI) questionnaire translated to local language. Association between lumbar spine MRI parameters and ODI score and category was tested using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Chi square tests. Results The mean age the study subjects was 43.81±1.88 years (range 22-83 years). 59.7% of the study population were Female. In terms of ODI category, most fell under minimal and moderate disability 33 (45.8%) and 25(34.7%) respectively. Disc bulge (81.9%) and foraminal stenosis were the most frequent MRI abnormalities detected. ODI score showed weak correlation with grade of spinal canal stenosis. Foraminal stenosis grade was not correlated ODI. Conclusion: The clinical relevance of MRI findings in patients with degenerative disc disease is limited and MRI should be sparingly ordered in evaluation of these patients particularly in resource constrained settings.