Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39391299›Full record

ReviewBrain & spine2024

A systematic review evaluating the association of atherosclerosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease.

Wensen Li, Niek Djuric, Carmen L A Vleggeert-Lankamp

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain & spine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Abdominal aortic calcification and functional recovery in patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a retrospective cohort study.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Prediction model of recurrence in patients with lumbar disc herniation after unilateral biportal endoscopy spinal surgery- XGBoost machine learning model can be interpreted based on SHAP.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2025
    Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Wensen LiNeurosurgical Center Holland, Leiden University Medical Centre & Haaglanden MC & Haga Teaching Hospital, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Niek DjuricNeurosurgical Center Holland, Leiden University Medical Centre & Haaglanden MC & Haga Teaching Hospital, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Carmen L A Vleggeert-LankampNeurosurgical Center Holland, Leiden University Medical Centre & Haaglanden MC & Haga Teaching Hospital, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and disc degeneration (DD) are associated with low back pain (LBP) and sciatica, which are common health problems. Emerging evidence suggests a link between vascular health, specifically abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and systemic lipid profiles, and these spinal conditions. Research question: This study investigates the associations between AAC, systemic lipid profiles, lumbar Modic Changes (MC), DD/LDH, and the occurrence of LBP or sciatica. Material and methods: A literature search was performed (up to August 2023) in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Emcare, Cochrane Library, and Academic Search Premier utilizing a sensitive search strategy. Studies were chosen based on predefined criteria and assessed for bias using an adapted Cochrane checklist. Specifically, studies exploring the relationship between AAC or lipid status and DD/LDH and/or LBP/Sciatica were included. Results: Twenty-seven studies were included. Eight studies assessed the association between atherosclerosis or lipid status and clinical LBP/sciatica, with four showing a positive association between AAC/lumbar artery stenosis and these conditions. Twenty-one studies assessed atherosclerosis and DD/LDH, with seven showing a positive association between AAC and DD/LDH. Eight trials found a positive association between lipid status and DD/LDH, and two trails identified ApoL1 as a biomarker for LDH recovery. Discussion and conclusion: Evidence supports the hypothesis that inadequate blood supply contributes to disc degeneration, inflammation and clinical symptoms. Both local vascular issues and systemic lipid profiles appear to influence lumbar degeneration, highlighting the need for further research to better understand these relationships and develop preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Indexed as

Aortic calcificationDisc degenerationLipidsLow back painSciatica

Identifiers

PMID39391299
PMCPMC11465040

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.