MRI findings of disc protrusion , nerve root displacement or compression , disc degeneration , and high intensity zone are all associated with LBP , but individually , none of these abnormalities provides a strong indication that LBP is attributable to underlying pathology .
This limits their value in refining epidemiological case definitions for LBP
OBJECTIVE to assess how confidently  low back pain ( LBP ) can be attributed to abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) , and thereby explore the potential value of MRI abnormalities in refining case definition for mechanical LBP in epidemiological research .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA most epidemiological studies of mechanical LBP have defined cases only by reported symptoms , but it is possible that the potency of causes differs depending on whether there is demonstrable underlying spinal pathology .
Raynaud's phenomenon, vibration induced white finger, and difficulties in hearing
Background : An association has previously been reported between finger blanching and hearing difficulties , but only in workers with exposure to noise and h and transmitted vibration ( HTV ) . Aims : To explore the association in a community sample , including cases who lacked occupational exposure to noise or HTV . Method : A question naire was mailed to 12 606 subjects aged 35–64 years , chosen at r and om from the age – sex registers of 34 British general practice s. Inquiry was made about years of employment in noisy jobs , lifetime exposure to HTV , hearing difficulties and tinnitus , and lifetime history of cold induced finger blanching . Subjects were classed as having severe hearing difficulty if they used a hearing aid or found it difficult or impossible to hear conversation in a quiet room . Associations of finger blanching with hearing difficulties and tinnitus were analysed by logistic regression . Results : Among 8193 respondents were 185 who reported severe hearing difficulty and 1151 who reported finger blanching .  After adjustment for age and years of work in noisy jobs , hearing difficulty was about twice as common in men and women who reported finger blanching , including those who had never been importantly exposed to noise and in those never exposed to HTV . Conclusions : These data support an association between finger blanching and hearing loss , which is not explained by confounding occupational exposure to noise , and suggest that it may extend to causes of blanching other than vibration induced white finger . Further investigations are warranted to confirm the association and explore possible mechanisms , such as sympathetic vasoconstriction in the cochlea
MRI findings of disc protrusion , nerve root displacement or compression , disc degeneration , and high intensity zone are all associated with LBP , but individually , none of these abnormalities provides a strong indication that LBP is attributable to underlying pathology .
This limits their value in refining epidemiological case definitions for LBP
OBJECTIVE to assess how confidently  low back pain ( LBP ) can be attributed to abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) , and thereby explore the potential value of MRI abnormalities in refining case definition for mechanical LBP in epidemiological research .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA most epidemiological studies of mechanical LBP have defined cases only by reported symptoms , but it is possible that the potency of causes differs depending on whether there is demonstrable underlying spinal pathology .