Severe disc degeneration is associated with all cause mortality and abdominal aortic calcification assessed prospectively in older men – the MINOS study.
Abstract
Objective We assessed the association of disc degeneration with all cause mortality and with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) severity and its progression rate in older men. Methods Men aged >50 (n=766) had lateral spine radiographs and blood collection and were followed up prospectively. We assessed the association of disc degeneration with all cause mortality (10 years), AAC severity and AAC progression (7.5 years). Results After adjustment for confounders, including AAC, the total overall grade score predicted all cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]= 1.20 per SD increase, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.01-1.43). The highest tertile of total overall grade score was associated with higher mortality (>8 vs 0-8, 39.3 vs 20.9 /1000 person-years; adjusted HR= 1.47, 95%CI: 1.05-2.06). The odds of severe AAC (AAC score >5) increased with total disc space narrowing score (adjusted HR= 1.44 per SD, 95%CI: 1.11-1.87). The highest tertile of total disc space narrowing score was associated with higher odds of severe AAC (adjusted HR= 2.42 versus the lowest tertile, 95%CI: 1.24-4.73). Finally, probability of long-term AAC stability decreased with increasing total osteophyte score (adjusted HR= 0.66 per SD, 95%CI: 0.49-0.88). The highest tertile of total osteophyte score was associated with lower probability of AAC stability (adjusted HR= 0.35 versus the lowest tertile, 95%CI: 0.18-0.71). Conclusion Older men with severe disc degeneration have greater AAC severity, faster AAC progression and higher all-cause mortality. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 American College of Rheumatology.