CLINICAL MENIFESTATIONS AND IMAGING FINDINGS OF PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR DEGENERATION COMBINED WITH OSTEOPOROSIS

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and associated risk factors of patients with spinal degenerative disease and concurrent osteoporosis at the Department of Out-patient General Clinic, 108 Military Central Hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients diagnosed with both spinal degenerative disease and osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5). Data were collected through clinical examinations, structured interviews, and imaging assessments, including X-rays and MRIs, to evaluate spinal structural abnormalities and associated complications. Results: The majority of patients were female (86.7%) and aged ≥70 years (62.5%). Common clinical symptoms included lumbar spine pain (100%), spinal deformities such as kyphosis or scoliosis (73.6%), radicular pain, and paresthesia (63.2%). Imaging findings revealed vertebral compression fractures in 20.8% of X-rays, spondylolisthesis in 38.7%, and spinal canal stenosis in 45.6% of MRI results, with 23% showing vertebral fractures. Identified risk factors included prolonged corticosteroid use (39.2%), physical inactivity (69.2%), hypertension (35.8%), and multiple childbirths (≥4) in 75.8% of female patients. Advanced age was significantly associated with osteoporosis, with patients aged ≥70 years having a 4.5-fold higher risk compared to younger groups. Conclusions: Patients with spinal degenerative disease and osteoporosis exhibit significant structural abnormalities, pain, and neurological symptoms, often reflecting advanced disease stages. These findings highlight the need for early screening, modification of risk factors, and comprehensive imaging assessments for proper diagnosis and management. Targeted interventions, including lifestyle modifications and reduced corticosteroid use, could help mitigate the disease burden in high-risk populations.