Lumbar vertebral magnetic resonance imaging findings in chronic low back pain: The influence of age and sex

Aim: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a prevalent health problem with major clinical and socioeconomic consequences. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of lumbar vertebral magnetic resonance imaging (LVMRI) findings in CLBP patients and to analyze their associations with age and sex.Methods: This retrospective study included 750 adults presenting with CLBP (≥3 months) to a tertiary university hospital between June and December 2024. LVMRI reports were reviewed for degenerative changes, disc herniation subtypes (bulging, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration), and nerve root compression. Findings were compared across age groups (18–40, 41–60, ≥61 years) and by sex.Results: The patient population consisted of 69.6% females, with a median age of 45 years (IQR 34–54). Disc herniation was the most common finding (88.5%), while sequestration was the least frequent (0.7%). Degenerative changes and disc herniation significantly increased with age (p