Diabetes Mellitus and Poor Glycemic Control Are Associated With a Higher Risk of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: An Analysis of a Large Nationwide Database.

Study Design: A large-scale retrospective case-control study.
Objective: Examine diabetes as a risk factor for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) development and evaluate the impact of diabetes duration, glycemic control, and associated complications on this risk.
Summary of Background Data: Diabetes mellitus, a multiorgan disorder impacting various connective tissues, induces histological changes in spinal structures, particularly the ligamentum flavum. While clinical studies suggest a higher incidence of LSS in diabetic patients, substantial epidemiological research on the likelihood of LSS diagnosis in individuals with diabetes is scarce.
Materials and Methods: Using nationwide data, a total of 49,576 patients diagnosed with LSS based on International Classification of Diseases-10 codes were matched with controls of the same number based on age and sex. Employing a multivariable logistic regression model, the study assessed for the association between spinal stenosis and diabetes, while adjusting for confounders.
Results: We found a higher likelihood of LSS diagnosis in diabetic patients [odds ratio (OR) 1.39, 95% CI: 1.36 - 1.43, P <0.001]. Those with hemoglobin A1c ≥7% and ≥1 diabetes-related complication also had an elevated likelihood (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08-1.31, P =0.001). Prolonged diabetes exposure increased the risk. Diabetes diagnosis reduced median survival by around 4.5 years for both stenosis and nonstenosis patients; spinal stenosis diagnosis alone minimally impacted survival. Relative to individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at the age of 65 or older, the OR for developing LSS were 1.22 (95% CI: 1.18-1.27, P <0.001) when DM was diagnosed at 50 to 65 years old and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.56-1.79, P <0.001) for those under 50 years old. Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with DM and spinal stenosis (hazard ratio: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.29-1.44, P <0.001) and those with DM without stenosis (hazard ratio: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.41-1.57, P <0.001) compared with controls.
Conclusions: Diabetic patients with prolonged disease, poor glycemic control, and diabetes-related complications face an elevated risk of developing LSS. Recognizing the reciprocal adverse relationship between these conditions is crucial in clinical practice and designing public health measures for managing both conditions.
Level of Evidence: 4.
Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest.
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