Correlation of MRI Findings of Intervertebral Disc Water Content and Disc Height with Self-rated Quality of Life, Pain and Disability

Aims: To investigate (1) the correlation between MRI findings of Intervertebral disc water content and disc height, with self-rated quality of life (QoL), pain, and disability respectively, and (2) the correlation between QoL and pain, and QoL and disability respectively.
Study Design: Clinical diagnostic study.
Place and Duration of Study: Ersta hospital radiological department, Stockholm, between February and september 2004.
Methodology: Eighty-eight patients referred for MRI of the spine due to suspect spine-related discomfort and with no previous surgery of the affected spinal region, were included. In conjunction with the MRI examination, the patients filled out questionnaires to assess QoL, pain and disability. QoL was assessed with Euro-QoL-5D (EQ), pain was self-assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), neck-related disability with Neck Disability Index (NDI), and low back-related disability with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
Results: Correlations between disc water content and EQ, VAS, NDI and ODI were - 0.09,0.13, -0.23 and 0.18, respectively. Correlations between disc height and EQ, VAS, NDI and ODI were 0.05, -0.11, -0.23 and -0.05, respectively. Correlation between EQ and VAS was -0.17, correlation between EQ and NDI was -0.5, and correlation between EQ and ODI was -0.49.
Conclusion: No correlation was found between MRI findings of reduced Intervertebral disc water content and disc height with QoL, pain and disability. Other variables may be sought to explain self-rated QoL, pain, and disability among patients referred to MRI of the spine. In our study, the correlation between QoL and pain was not significant. However, the correlation between QoL and disability was significant, indicating that disability may have a greater impact on self-perceived QoL than pain.