# Sociodemographic Influences on Lumbar Disc Degeneration Severity and the Diagnostic Potential of Disc‑CSF Signal Ratio: Insights from a South East Asia Population Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how age, gender, and race affect lumbar disc degeneration in Malaysia and finds that a MRI-based signal ratio is a useful diagnostic tool.

## Contribution

The study introduces the disc–cerebrospinal fluid signal ratio (DCFR) as a practical and consistent diagnostic measure for lumbar disc degeneration in diverse populations.

## Key findings

- DCFR strongly correlates with Pfirrmann grades of disc degeneration.
- Older patients and males show more severe disc degeneration.
- Malays have a higher prevalence of moderate to severe disc degeneration.

## Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between lumbar disc degeneration and sociodemographic factors in a Malaysian cohort, focusing on the diagnostic potential of the disc–cerebrospinal fluid signal ratio (DCFR). With lumbar disc degeneration being a significant cause of low back pain, there is a need for simple yet effective diagnostic measures that are adaptable to diverse imaging conditions.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 182 patients presenting with low back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess disc degeneration using the Pfirrmann grading system, while the DCFR was calculated to quantify the severity of disc degeneration. Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and race were analyzed for their correlation with degeneration severity and DCFR.

Results: The DCFR showed a strong negative correlation with Pfirrmann grades, with older patients and males exhibiting more severe degeneration. Sociodemographic factors significantly influenced degeneration patterns, particularly in the older age groups, with Malays showing a higher prevalence of moderate to severe degeneration.

Conclusion: The DCFR provides a consistent and practical quantitative assessment of lumbar disc degeneration. It correlates well with traditional qualitative grading systems and is effective across various age group, making it a valuable tool for clinical and diagnostic applications in diverse populations.