Distribution of Modic changes of lumbar endplate in patients suffering from low back pain or radiculopathy and its related factors

[Objectives] To evaluate the distribution of Modic changes of lumbar endplate in patients suffering from low back pain or radiculopathy and its related factors. [Methods] 1040 patients suffering from low back pain or sciatica were examined by lumbar MRI scan from March 2009 to March 2010. According to the criteria of Modic changes, the features of distribution of Modic changes of lumbar endplate on segment, sex, age, and body mass index were analyzed retrospectively. [Results] Among 5200 intervertebral disc of the 1040 patients, 368 (35.4%) cases and 448 (8.6%) intervertebral discs were involved with Modic changes. Among them, 58 (5.6%) cases and 59 (1.1%) discs were type I; 307 (29.5%) cases and 386 (7.4%) discs were type II; 3 (0.3%) cases and 3 (0.06%) discs were type III. Female cases verse 29.5% (168/550) male cases in Modic change which means Modic changes distributed more often in female than in male (P < 0.05). Modic changes in incidence after the age of 40 in each group and the difference between two groups before the 39-year-old was significant (P < 0.05). There was significant difference between the normal group and obesity group (P < 0.05). There was significant differences between over-weight group and obesity group (P < 0.05). [Conclusion] Modic change of lumbar endplate was more often seen in patients suffering low back pain or radiculopathy. The changes of lumbar endplate mainly occurred in L5-S1 and L4-5 segment, and type II was the most, mainly happened in female and over 40 years old. Modic changes distributed more often in obesity group.