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Association of Subcutaneous Fat Index, Paraspinal Muscle Characteristics, and Facet Morphology With Lumbar Facet Joint Degeneration

30 septembre 2026 mis à jour par: Marmara University

Subkutan Yağ İndeksi, Paraspinal Kas Özellikleri ve Faset Morfolojisinin Lomber Faset Eklem Dejenerasyonu Ile İlişkisi: Disk Dejenerasyonunun Olası Aracılık Rolü

This prospective observational study aims to investigate the association between subcutaneous fat index, paraspinal muscle characteristics, facet morphology, and lumbar facet joint degeneration in adults with chronic low back pain. The study will use lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained as part of routine clinical care. The study will evaluate whether subcutaneous fat index is associated with moderate-to-severe lumbar facet joint degeneration and will also examine the relationships of disc degeneration, facet morphology, paraspinal muscle characteristics, and pain severity with facet joint degeneration.

Aperçu de l'étude

Description détaillée

This is a prospective, non-interventional observational clinical study conducted in patients with chronic low back pain. Participants will be adults aged 18 to 75 years who present to the Algology outpatient clinic of Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital and who have a clinical indication for lumbar MRI as part of routine patient care, independent of study participation.

No additional MRI examinations, radiation exposure, medication administration, injections, or invasive procedures will be performed for research purposes. Participation in the study will not alter the patients' routine diagnostic, treatment, or follow-up procedures.

Demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, duration and severity of low back pain, and the presence of leg or radicular pain, will be recorded. Pain severity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale.

Lumbar MRI images obtained during routine clinical care will be evaluated for subcutaneous fat index, intervertebral disc degeneration, facet joint degeneration, facet joint angle and tropism, paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area and fat infiltration, and Modic changes. Subcutaneous fat index will be measured at the L1-L2 level. Intervertebral disc degeneration will be assessed using the Pfirrmann classification, while facet joint degeneration will be assessed using the Weishaupt classification. Facet tropism will be calculated as the absolute difference between the right and left facet joint angles. Paraspinal muscle measurements will be performed at the L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels for the multifidus and erector spinae muscles.

The primary objective is to evaluate the association between subcutaneous fat index and moderate-to-severe lumbar facet joint degeneration. Secondary objectives include evaluating the relationships between subcutaneous fat index and total disc degeneration, disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration, facet morphology and facet joint degeneration, paraspinal muscle characteristics and disc or facet joint degeneration, and subcutaneous fat index and pain severity. An exploratory mediation analysis will also assess the potential mediating role of disc degeneration in the relationship between subcutaneous fat index and facet joint degeneration.

Imaging assessments will be performed by an evaluator blinded to pain severity, body mass index, and other clinical findings. Inter-rater or intra-rater reliability will be assessed in a randomly selected subset of approximately 20% of the study sample.

Type d'étude

Observationnel

Inscription (Estimé)

300

Contacts et emplacements

Cette section fournit les coordonnées de ceux qui mènent l'étude et des informations sur le lieu où cette étude est menée.

Coordonnées de l'étude

Lieux d'étude

    • Istanbul
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turquie (Türkiye), 34890
        • Recrutement
        • Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Chercheur principal:
          • Osman Hakan Gündüz, Prof.Dr.

Critères de participation

Les chercheurs recherchent des personnes qui correspondent à une certaine description, appelée critères d'éligibilité. Certains exemples de ces critères sont l'état de santé général d'une personne ou des traitements antérieurs.

Critère d'éligibilité

Âges éligibles pour étudier

18 ans à 75 ans (Adulte, Adulte plus âgé)

Accepte les volontaires sains

Non

Sexes éligibles pour l'étude

Tout

Méthode d'échantillonnage

Échantillon non probabiliste

Population étudiée

Adults aged 18-75 years with chronic low back pain lasting at least 3 months who present to the Algology outpatient clinic of Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Pendik Training and Research Hospital and have a lumbar MRI clinically indicated as part of routine patient management independently of the study. Routine lumbar MRI images and demographic and clinical characteristics will be evaluated for associations between subcutaneous fat index, intervertebral disc degeneration, facet joint degeneration, facet morphology, and paraspinal muscle characteristics.

La description

Inclusion Criteria:

-

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 18-75 years.
  2. Low back pain lasting for at least 3 months.
  3. Evaluation at the Algology outpatient clinic.
  4. Lumbar MRI has been clinically indicated as part of routine patient management independently of the study.
  5. Lumbar MRI images including sagittal T1-weighted, sagittal T2-weighted, and axial T2-weighted images covering the L1-L2 through L5-S1 levels.
  6. Height and body weight can be measured.
  7. Low back pain severity can be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).
  8. Sufficient cognitive and linguistic capacity to complete the Oswestry Disability Index.
  9. Ability to understand the study and provide informed consent.
  10. Written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Previous lumbar spine surgery or lumbar fusion.
  2. Acute vertebral fracture or significant lumbar trauma.
  3. Spinal malignancy or vertebral metastasis.
  4. Spondylodiscitis or other spinal infections.
  5. Inflammatory spondyloarthritis.
  6. Advanced lumbar scoliosis.
  7. Severe congenital lumbar vertebral anomaly.
  8. Anatomic variation preventing reliable identification of vertebral levels.
  9. Pregnancy.
  10. Inability to complete the MRI examination.
  11. MRI images inadequate for assessment of subcutaneous fat, intervertebral discs, facet joints, or paraspinal muscles.
  12. Missing clinical data or required outcome measures.
  13. Failure to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Plan d'étude

Cette section fournit des détails sur le plan d'étude, y compris la façon dont l'étude est conçue et ce que l'étude mesure.

Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?

Détails de conception

  • Modèles d'observation: COHORT
  • Perspectives temporelles: PROSPECTIVE

Cohortes et interventions

Groupe / Cohorte
Intervention / Traitement
Chronic Low Back Pain Cohort

Participants with chronic low back pain who meet the eligibility criteria and undergo lumbar MRI as part of routine clinical care will be included in this observational cohort. MRI findings and demographic and clinical characteristics will be evaluated to investigate the associations between subcutaneous fat index, paraspinal muscle characteristics, facet morphology, intervertebral disc degeneration, and lumbar facet joint degeneration.

Lumbar MRI images obtained as part of routine clinical care will be evaluated for study purposes. No additional MRI examination or radiation exposure will be performed because of study participation. MRI findings will be assessed for subcutaneous fat index, intervertebral disc degeneration, facet joint degeneration, facet morphology, and paraspinal muscle characteristics.

Que mesure l'étude ?

Principaux critères de jugement

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Association between subcutaneous fat index and moderate-to-severe lumbar facet joint degeneration
Délai: At baseline

Moderate-to-severe lumbar facet joint degeneration will be defined as Weishaupt Grade ≥2 in the right or left facet joint at any lumbar level from L1-L2 to L5-S1. The association with subcutaneous fat index measured on lumbar MRI will be evaluated.

At baseline

Mesures de résultats secondaires

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Association between subcutaneous fat index and total Pfirrmann score
Délai: At baseline

The association between subcutaneous fat index and total Pfirrmann score for lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration will be evaluated.

At baseline
Association between intervertebral disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration
Délai: At baseline

The association between intervertebral disc degeneration and lumbar facet joint degeneration will be evaluated using Pfirrmann and Weishaupt classifications.

At baseline
Association between facet angle, facet tropism, and facet joint degeneration
Délai: At baseline

The associations between facet angle, facet tropism, and lumbar facet joint degeneration will be evaluated.

At baseline
Association between paraspinal muscle characteristics and intervertebral disc and facet joint degeneration
Délai: At baseline

The associations between paraspinal muscle characteristics, including total cross-sectional area, functional cross-sectional area, and fat infiltration, and intervertebral disc and lumbar facet joint degeneration will be evaluated.

At baseline
Association between subcutaneous fat index and low back pain severity
Délai: At baseline

The association between subcutaneous fat index and low back pain severity will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).

At baseline
Exploratory mediation analysis of intervertebral disc degeneration in the association between subcutaneous fat index and facet joint degeneration
Délai: At baseline

The potential statistical mediation role of intervertebral disc degeneration in the association between subcutaneous fat index and lumbar facet joint degeneration will be evaluated as an exploratory analysis.

At baseline

Collaborateurs et enquêteurs

C'est ici que vous trouverez les personnes et les organisations impliquées dans cette étude.

Parrainer

Les enquêteurs

  • Chercheur principal: OSMAN H GÜNDÜZ, Marmara University

Dates d'enregistrement des études

Ces dates suivent la progression des dossiers d'étude et des soumissions de résultats sommaires à ClinicalTrials.gov. Les dossiers d'étude et les résultats rapportés sont examinés par la Bibliothèque nationale de médecine (NLM) pour s'assurer qu'ils répondent à des normes de contrôle de qualité spécifiques avant d'être publiés sur le site Web public.

Dates principales de l'étude

Début de l'étude (Réel)

1 septembre 2026

Achèvement primaire (Estimé)

1 juin 2027

Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)

1 juin 2027

Dates d'inscription aux études

Première soumission

30 septembre 2026

Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

30 septembre 2026

Première publication (Réel)

6 octobre 2026

Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude

Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)

6 octobre 2026

Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

30 septembre 2026

Dernière vérification

1 septembre 2026

Plus d'information

Termes liés à cette étude

Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)

Prévoyez-vous de partager les données individuelles des participants (DPI) ?

NON

Description du régime IPD

Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers because no plan for individual participant data sharing has been established for this study.

Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude

Étudie un produit pharmaceutique réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Étudie un produit d'appareil réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Ces informations ont été extraites directement du site Web clinicaltrials.gov sans aucune modification. Si vous avez des demandes de modification, de suppression ou de mise à jour des détails de votre étude, veuillez contacter register@clinicaltrials.gov. Dès qu'un changement est mis en œuvre sur clinicaltrials.gov, il sera également mis à jour automatiquement sur notre site Web .

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