Relationship between Age and Lumbosacral Angle (LSA) of Adult Nigerians: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The lumbosacral angle (LSA), is a key morphometric parameter important in the management of patients with low back disorders.

Aim: The study evaluated the relationship between age and lumbosacral angle of adult Nigerians.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty-six (226) radiographs (113 males to 113 females) were obtained from Radiology departments of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri. Inclusion criteria were, lateral radiographs of lumbosacral region marked above 18 years of ages and only clear X-ray films were used.Using the Ferguson's approach, the lumbosacral angle was measured. All data obtained were expressed both in descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Both male and female categories showed a progressive increase in lumbosacral angle across age groups, but later decreased in the age group of 60 years and above. The mean lumbosacral angle of male subjects was 35.74° while that of females was 41.46°. There was a significant difference (t = 3.16, p = 0.002) between the lumbosacral angle of male and female categories. However, there was a weak, positive correlation between age and lumbosacral angle of males (r = 0.187) and females (r = 0.392).

Conclusion: The males had a lower mean lumbosacral angle compared to the females. Age was significantly correlated with lumbosacral angle in both sexes.