Association of Body Mass Index in Early Childhood with Lumbar Disk Degeneration at 21 Years

Introduction There are no studies on association between early childhood body mass index and lumbar disk degeneration (DD) later. Materials and Methods The Oulu back study includes children who belong to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 and have been followed up to 21 years. Data from child health clinic records were used to derive BMI at birth, at adiposity peak (AP), and at adiposity rebound (AR). Lumbar MRI was performed using a 1.5-T scanner at the age of 21. Lumbar intervertebral disks were graded as normal (0), mildly (1), moderately (2), or severely (3) degenerated. The sum score of lumbar DD was categorized as 0, 1 to 2, or at least 3. The associations of BMI at birth, AP, and AR with DD were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression with and without adjustment for relevant confounders. All analyses were stratified by gender. Results Of the 520 scanned subjects, 46% had no DD, 38% had sum score of 1 or 2, and 16% had sum score of at least 3. In the univariate models, BMI at birth among females and BMI at AR among males were positively associated with DD sum score of at least 3 (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–1.7 and OR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.7, respectively). In adjusted models, the results weakened among females, while among males the associations between BMI at AP and AR with DD sum score of at least 3 strengthened (OR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.7 and OR 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4–3.7). Conclusion High BMI at AP and AR in early childhood increased the likelihood of lumbar DD at the age of 21 among males. This novel finding may help to understand the pathomechanisms of DD. I confirm having declared any potential conflict of interest for all authors listed on this abstract Yes Disclosure of Interest None declared