Observational studyBMC geriatrics2026
Lumbar paraspinal muscle quality and disability in older adults: insights from the SarcoSpine cohort.
Observational study in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Associations of paraspinal muscle quantity and quality with patient-reported outcomes in patients aged ≥85 years undergoing lumbar spine surgery: an exploratory retrospective study.Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong) · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLumbar paraspinal muscles (LPMs) are essential for spinal stability, movement, and daily activity. This study aimed to investigate the association between LPM quality and patient-reported disability in community-dwelling older adults.
methodsThis study included 111 participants aged ≥ 65 years from the SarcoSpine study, a prospective observational cohort. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to quantify LPM quality via signal intensity and LPM quantity via muscle volume normalized by height squared (volume/Ht2). Disability was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and physical performance was assessed through various standardized tests. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for age, sex, and low back pain intensity.
resultsA total of 111 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 70.6 ± 4.2 years; 63% women) were analyzed. The mean ODI score was 9.14 ± 7.76%, indicating minimal disability, and physical-performance measures reflected high functional capacity (mean SPPB 11.56, TUG 8.57 s). LPM quality was significantly associated with ODI scores (R2 = 0.648, p < 0.001) after adjusting for covariates, while LPM quantity was not (p = 0.331).
conclusionsLPM quality, rather than quantity, was associated with disability levels among community-dwelling older adults. These findings suggest that maintaining better muscle composition and reducing fat infiltration may be linked to lower functional decline and improved quality of life in aging populations.
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