ASSOCIATION OF LIFESTYLE FACTORS WITH LUMBAR DISC DEGENERATION AND HERNIATION IN YOUNG ADULTS USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Abstract

Background: Lumbar disc degeneration/herniation is one of the major causes of low back pain and functional limitation, and such abnormalities can be present even in young adults. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers a detailed, radiation-free view of the intervertebral discs, herniation, canal narrowing and nerve compression.

Objective: To assess the association of lifestyle factors with lumbar disc degeneration and herniation in young adults using MRI, and to describe the distribution of selected lumbar MRI findings.

Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 73 young adults aged 20–40 years recruited by non-probability convenience sampling from hospital-based radiology settings in Lahore and Bahawalpur. Participants were categorized into desktop working, labour, prolonged standing, and sedentary lifestyle groups. MRI findings included disc levels affected, single/multiple involvement, T1- and T2-weighted disc signal, herniation location, dominant vertebral level, canal stenosis, stenosis level, and nerve compression. Data were analyzed in SPSS v23 using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chi-square test (p<0.05 considered significant).

Results: The mean age was 30.97 ± 5.18 years; 54.8% were female. Single-level disc involvement was observed in 71.2% of participants and multiple-level involvement in 28.8%. L4 was the dominant vertebral level in 46.6% and L5 in 32.9%. T2 hypointense disc signal was observed in 68.5%, canal stenosis in 69.9%, and nerve compression in 49.3%. Central herniation was the most frequent location (28.8%). No statistically significant association was found between lifestyle category and disc levels affected (p=0.165), herniation location (p=0.492), dominant vertebral level (p=0.639), canal stenosis (p=0.222), stenosis level (p=0.746), or nerve compression (p=0.172).

Conclusion: Lumbar MRI abnormalities are common among young adults, particularly at the lower lumbar levels, but the broad lifestyle categories assessed in this study were not significantly associated with the selected MRI findings. Larger studies using detailed measures of occupational exposure, physical activity, sitting time, ergonomics, BMI, and clinical symptoms are recommended.