Association of Paravertebral Muscle Density with Vertebral Bone Mineral Density in OVCF Patients

Hou JunJun; Hou Fushan; CheYanjun; Zhang Lianyu; Chen Qi; Qian Zongna; Shen Jiali; Liu Huaqing; Si Weibing; Hao Yuefeng; Yang Jing

Abstract：Objective To investigated the correlation between paravertebral muscle density in the lumbosacral region and vertebral bone mineral density(vBMD)as assessed by site-specific quantitative computed tomography(QCT)in patients suffering from osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture(OVCF).Methods This study performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective institutional database(NCT05848167),enrolling patients with osteoporotic spinal fractures.From January 2021 to December 2022,a total of 167 patients were included,among which 101 patients with OVCF[(80 females and 21 males,with a mean age of 73(68.00,82.50)years for females and 71(67.00,80.00)years for males)]possessed available examination data,specifically QCT data.Measurements of the posterior paraspinal muscle(PSM)density and area were undertaken at the superior endplate level of the L3～5vertebral bodies,employing both manual segmentation and custom-developed software.Furthermore,measurements and calculations of vBMD were executed at the L1～2 level using QCT Pro software.All assessments were analyzed with stratification by sex and age.Results The analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between PSM density and vBMD specifically within the male subject cohort.Upon implementing age and sex-specific stratification,a positive statistical association emerged between L1～2 vBMD and the density of multiple posterior paraspinal muscles,including the L3 left multifidus,L4 left erector spinae,L4 right multifidus,and both the L5 left and right bilateral multifidus muscles.In contrast,no significant correlation was detected in the female subject cohort.Conclusion The investigation demonstrated a pronounced positive correlation between multifidus muscle density and vBMD across various lumbar vertebral levels specifically in males.Notably,it underscores the importance of accounting for sexual dimorphism and regional variations when elucidating the intricate relationships between lumbar vertebrae and the posterior paraspinal muscles.