Relationship between lumbar spinal stenosis and lifestyle-related disorders: a cross-sectional multicenter observational study.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional multicenter observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify associations between lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lifestyle-related diseases.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Impaired blood flow as a result of arteriosclerosis facilitates degenerative changes in the spine. However, associations between LSS and lifestyle-related diseases (hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) remain unclear.

METHODS: Participants comprised 526 patients diagnosed with LSS using the clinical diagnostic support tool and magnetic resonance imaging at 64 facilities. Data on 1218 males and 1636 females in the general population were selected from the 2006 National Health and Nutrition Survey as control data. We investigated the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases (hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) and levels of hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. LSS and control groups were divided into 4 subgroups by age (nonelderly, <70 yr old; elderly, ≥ 70 yr) and sex. Statistical analyses were performed to compare patients with LSS and the control group using the χ test or Fisher exact text. Values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Among nonelderly patients, proportions of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were higher in patients with LSS than in controls (P < 0.01 each). The proportion of patients with hemoglobin A1c was 6.1% or greater and higher for female patients with LSS than for female controls (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the proportion of patients with dyslipidemia was apparent between the LSS and control groups.

CONCLUSION: After adjusting for age and sex, this study revealed a close association between diabetes and hypertension in 50- to 69-year-old patients with LSS. Physicians should consider the possibility of concomitant hypertension or diabetes mellitus when examining 50- to 69-year-old patients with LSS.