Demographic profile of the patients with lumbar disc herniation presented in a tertiary care center, Manipur

Abstract

Background: Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation presents with a wide variety of demographic profiles among the patients of various regions. Depending on the regional factors such as environmental, socioeconomic and genetic factors, the demography may vary. Objectives: This study aimed to observe the demographic profile of patients with lumbar disc herniation and to find the association and correlation among the different variables. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study. Descriptive analysis was performed for parameters such as age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Chi-square test was performed to see the association of different variables. A Spearman's regression analysis was performed to see any correlation between the quantitative variables. Results were evaluated with a confidence interval of 95% and significance level at P Results: We had 348 patients with a mean age of 52.49 (±13.34) years, out of which 194 (55.7%) were female. Visual analog scale score ≥7 was found in 194 (55.7%) patients. Of the patients, 228 (65.5%) were overweight and 40 (11.5%) were obese with a mean BMI of 26.99 (±2.61). In the physical activity, 159 (45.7%) fall in heavy group, 135 (38.8%) moderate, and 54 (15.5%) in light activity groups. L4L5 (183, 52.6%) and L5S1 (133, 38.2%) were the most common site of prolapsed. Grade 6 disc degeneration was the most common (101, 29.0%) followed by Grade 7 (96, 27.6%) and Grade 5 (77, 22.1%). 2ab was the most common pattern of prolapsed with 22.4%. Conclusion: Disc herniation is more common among females and in the middle age group. Overweight or obese people are at more risk of disc degeneration. L4L5 and L5S1 are the most common level of prolapse. Grades 6 and 7 of disc degeneration are more symptomatic and are associated with advancing age. Posterolateral disc herniation is the most common type and people engaged with heavy physical activities are at higher risk of disc degeneration.