Correlation Of Serum Estrogen,Inflammatory Factors And Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration In Postmenopausal Women

Objective To explore the correlation between the levels of estrogen and inflammatory factors and the degree of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration,so as to study the influence of the changes of estrogen and inflammatory factors on the lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration(LDD)in postmenopausal women,providing theoretical basis and research basis for further clinical research on the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.Methods A total of 79 patients with low back pain and lower extremity symptoms diagnosed with lumbar disc degeneration who passed the inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected from the spinal surgery Department of Ordos Central Hospital from November 1st,2021 to January 31 st,2023.General data such as age,body mass index(BMI),and menopause years were collected.Levels of estrogen(E2),interleukin-6(IL-6),and hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)were examined in the clinical laboratory.Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Lumbar MRI was completed for all patients,and the degree of lumbar disc degeneration(mild,moderate,and severe)was evaluated and graded globally according to the Pfirrmann scale.The relationship between LDD and variables was evaluated by one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test.Pearson correlation coefficient r was used to analyze the correlation of some indicators.The ordered logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the related risk factors,and the indicators of statistical value were obtained.Results 1.There were statistically significant differences in age and menopause years between the mild degeneration group and the moderate and severe degeneration group(P < 0.05).2.There were significant differences in serum E2 levels among the three groups(P < 0.05).3.The serum levels of inflammatory factors in the three groups were compared,and the results showed that the level of IL-6 was lower in the mild and moderate degeneration group than the severe degeneration group,and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05);The level of TNF-α increased with the degree of lumbar disc degeneration,and the differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05).4.Correlation analysis of E2 and serum inflammatory factors showed that E2 was negatively correlated with IL-6 and TNF-α(r=-0.437,-0.631,P<0.01),and IL-6and TNF-α were positively correlated with hs-CRP(r=0.516,0.446,P<0.01).5.Multi-factor ordered Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=1.199,P=0.006)and TNF-α(OR=1.467,P=0.005)were independent risk factors for lumbar disc degeneration in postmenopausal women.E2(OR=0.696,P=0.003)was a protective factor for lumbar disc degeneration in postmenopausal women.Conclusion 1.Age and menopause years are important factors affecting lumbar disc degeneration in postmenopausal women;2.E2 levels was negatively correlated with IL-6 and TNF-α,while IL-6 and TNF-α were positively correlated with hs-CRP;3.TNF-α is an independent risk factor for lumbar disc degeneration,Estrogen is a protective factor.