Both overall spine shape and the size and shape of individual vertebrae undergo rapid growth and development during early childhood. Motor development milestones such as age of walking influence spine development, with delayed ambulation linked with spinal conditions including spondylolysis. However, it is unclear whether associations between motor development and spine morphology persist into older age. Therefore, these associations were examined using data from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, a large nationally-representative British cohort, followed up since birth in 1946. Statistical shape modelling was used to characterise spinal shape (L5-T10) and identify modes of variation in shape (SM) from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry images of the spine taken at age 60–64 years (N=1327 individuals; 51.8% female). Associations between walking age in months (reported by mothers at 2 years) and SMs were examined with adjustment for sex, birthweight, socioeconomic position, height, lean mass and fat mass. Later onset of independent walking was weakly associated with greater lordosis (SM1; Purpose and Background
Methods and Results
An increased prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in post-menopausal women has led to the suggestion that hormonal factors may play a role in the pathogenesis. This study aims to examine if undergoing a hysterectomy, both with retention and removal of ovaries, predisposes women to OA and secondly if the development is influenced by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Statistical shape modelling (SSM) is a method of image analysis allowing for detection of subtle shape variation described by landmark points. Through the generation of linearly independent modes of variation, each image can be described in terms of numerical scores. 149 radiographs from female participants of the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) were examined to compare hip morphology in those who had undergone hysterectomies compared to controls. No differences were observed in BMI, age, height or weight between groups. ANOVA and Games-Howell post-hoc analysis showed that modes 3 and 5 were statistically significant. Lower mode 3 scores were associated with hysterectomy (p=0.019), with narrowing of the femoral neck and increased acetabular coverage. Lower mode 5 scores were associated with hysterectomy and oophorectomy (p=0.049), displaying reduced coverage of the femoral head, superolateral migration of the femoral head and larger greater trochanter. No associations were observed between HRT use and OA. The subtle morphologic features of hip OA present in only hysterectomised women suggests undergoing a hysterectomy may be a predisposing factor and a clinical consideration. The use of HRT was not observed to influence the development of OA and thus cannot be suggested as a protective measure.
To investigate associations between sagittal thoracolumbar spine shape with sex and measures of adiposity throughout adulthood. Thoracolumbar spine shape was characterised using statistical shape modelling on lateral dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry images, recorded for vertebral fracture analysis, of the spine from 1529 participants of the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, acquired at age 60–64 years. Associations between spine shape modes (SM) and 1) sex, 2) contemporaneous measures of overall and central adiposity (indicated by body mass index and waist circumference, respectively), 3) changes in total and central adiposity during earlier stages of adulthood and age at onset of overweight, were investigated.Purpose
Methods
