Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to clarify the relationships between the increased scores of low back pain and other domains of Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) treated with balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) during the 1-year follow-up period.
Methods: Overall, 71 patients with OVFs treated with BKP participated in this study. The scores of each domain of JOABPEQ were compared before surgery and at 1-year follow-up. The patients were divided into lower lumbar pain improved and nonimproved groups based on the increased scores of low back pain of JOABPEQ during the follow-up period. The increased scores of other domains, i.e., lumbar function, walking ability, social life function, and mental health, were compared between the two groups. In addition, correlations were assessed between the increased scores of low back pain and other domains during the follow-up period.
Results: There were 40 and 31 cases in the lower lumbar pain improved and nonimproved groups, respectively. The lower lumbar pain improved group had significantly higher increased scores of lumbar function, walking ability, and social life function than the nonimproved group. Significant associations were found between the increased scores of low back pain and those of lumbar function, walking ability, and social life function.
Conclusions: The increased scores of low back pain were associated with those of lumbar function, walking ability, and social life function during the 1-year follow-up period in patients with OVFs treated with BKP.
