IMPACT OF THE GRADE OF DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR DISEASE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF SPINAL DEFORMITY

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the severity of degenerative lumbar disease (DLD) on the occurrence of spinal deformity, as well as on the choice of treatment, whether conservative or surgical. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective database. One hundred and thirty patients with low back pain and/or pain radiating to the lower limbs were included in the study and were graded on a DLD scale that considers total spine (panoramic) X-ray findings. The rates of adult spinal deformity (ASD) for the different degrees of the DLD scale were compared using the Chi-square test. The choice of treatment type, conservative or surgical, was also compared among the degrees of the DLD scale using Fisher's exact test. Results: The ASD rate was zero in grade 0 patients, 24% in grade I, 35% in grade II and 44% in grade III (P = 0.02). Grade III patients were more likely to be diagnosed with ASD (OR = 2.22; P