Correlation Between MRI Findings, ODI, and VAS Score in Lumbar Disc Herniation
Suada Hasanovic-Vuckovic1*, Lejla Milisic1, Lejla Dervisevic2 , Ilvana Hasanbegovic2 , Zurifa Ajanovic2 , Amra Skopljak-Beganovic3, Aida Sarac-Hadzihalilovic2
1 Clinic for Radiology, Clinical University Centre of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, Clinical University Centre of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Corresponding Author: Suada Hasanović-Vučković MD, PhD. Department for Radiology, Clinical University Centre of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Email: suada2@gmail.com; ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0644-4560.
Cite this article: Hasanovic-Vuckovic S, Milisic L, Dervisevic L, Hasanbegovic I, Ajanovic Z, Skopljak-Beganovic A, et al. Correlation Between MRI Findings, ODI, and VAS Score in Lumbar Disc Herniation. Sar Med J. 2024; 1(2): Online ahead of print. 
10.70119/0021-24
Pages: 82 – 91 / Published online: 27 December 2024
Original submission: 1 September 2024; Revised submission: 1 November 2024; Accepted: 17 December 2024
Abstract
Introduction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred method for diagnosing the causes of lumboischialgia, as it offers the highest sensitivity and specificity compared to other imaging techniques. In clinical practice, there is often a notable discrepancy between patients’ clinical symptoms and the radiological findings. While there are various clinical tests for lumboischialgia, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) are the most commonly used and reliable. This article aims to explore the correlation between patients’ subjective pain experiences and their level of disability due to lumboischialgia and disc herniation as detected by MRI.
Methods. In this prospective clinical study, a total of 100 patients of both genders, aged 18 to 65 years, were included. These patients were referred for magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine due to complaints of lumboischialgia. MRI of the lumbar spine was performed, and the extent of degenerative changes was evaluated. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their subjective pain experience and functional status, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) were calculated.
Results. The statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between the severity of disc herniation (classification) and the intensity of spinal pain (p = 0.010), as well as with the disability index (p = 0.003).
Conclusion. A statistically significant relationship was confirmed between the levels of pain and disability and the degree of intervertebral disc herniation observed on MRI images of the lumbar spine.
Keywords: lumbal disk herniation, lumboischialgia, pain.
