Evaluation of the lumbar-sacral configuration: A radiographic study of young adults in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Compared with other populations, African spines, have not been adequately studied and consequently, surgical interventions on the spine rely on assumptions and data from studies done on non-Nigerians. Materials and Methods: Lateral lumbosacral X-ray films of 120 informed volunteers who met relevant inclusion criteria were studied. Three parameters frequently employed to characterize the lumbosacral region in the assessment of spinal health; Lumbar Lordotic Angle (LLA), Lumbar Lordotic Depth (LLD) and Lumbosacral Angle (LSA),were measured using standard radiographic procedures. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Confidence interval was set at 95% defining P ≤ 0.05 of statistical significance. Results: On the average, the subjects were 27 years old (males 28 and females 24). Mean (SE) of weight was 66.59 (1.06) kg; males 65.71 (1.18) kg, females 67.80 (2.04) kg. Mean (SE) of height was 1.66 (0.01) m, females 1.6 (0.01) m, males 1.69 (0.01). Mean (SE) of BMI was 24.32 (0.41); males 23.04 (0.39), females 26.45 (0.79). Mean (SE) of LSA was 31.12 (0.46) 0; females 32.04 (0.91) 0, males 30.56 (0.50) 0.Mean (SE) LLA 51.34 (0.76) 0; females 49.84 (1.23) 0, males 52.24 (0.96) 0.Mean (SE) LLD 3.23 (0.04) cm; males 3.15 (0.05) cm, females 3. 36 (0.07) cm. Significant associations were found between the following variables; age and LLA (r2= 0.158, P < 0.001), age and LLD (r2 = 0.224, P < 0.001), LSA and LLA (r2 = 0.034, P = 0.044), LSA and LLD (r2 = 0.042, P = 0.024), LLA and LLD (r2 = 0.555, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study is probably the first to be carried out on living subjects in Nigeria and the data it provides will be useful for further research and will also add to existing knowledge on African spines.