Evaluation of health related quality of life with the use of Oswestry disability index in degenerative discogenic low back pain

Abstract Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD) is a main underlying cause for low back pain (LBP). Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a valuable tool used to measure patient’s low back functional outcome. Our aim is to evaluate the relation between clinical assessment of LBP and health related quality of life with the use of ODI and magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings in patients with degenerative prolapsed IVD disease. Result There was a significant correlation between Pfirrmann grades and ODI (p< 0.0001) and with type of disc morphology mostly protrusion (p< 0.0001) but insignificant correlation with visual analogue scale (VAS) (p= 0.198) and most of the clinical parameters (p> 0.05). There was a significant correlation between ODI and VAS (p= 0.003). Higher Pfirrmann grades were found at lower lumbosacral levels L4-5 and L5-S1. Conclusion Higher Pfirrmann grades correlated with the increased ODI. No association was found between MRI grading in lumbosacral spine with pain intensity and most of the clinical parameters among persons with discogenic LBP. Chronic LBP is widely accepted to be a multifactorial disorder that could not be contained within a single lumbar compartment. Clinician should not depend on MRI findings only in the diagnosis. History from the patient and clinical examination is particularly important to reach the final diagnosis. ODI might be convenient in achieving patient’s confidence and decreasing unnecessary investigations.