6th Edition of Neurology World Conference 2026

Abstract

Background and aims
The objective of this study is to compare clinical data from cases of chronic low back pain with those from functional MRI by evaluating the effects of disc dehydration. 
Material and method
This is a descriptive study covering 124 cases of chronic low back pain (young adults) from September 2021 to April 2022, benefiting from an evaluation comparing the clinic (VAS-pain, root irritation signs, chronic smoking, Oswestry Questionnaire )  with functional imaging data (CDA values of NP and AF). The exploration of the results is carried out by the SPSS-20 software.
Results
The results of the functional MRI expressed by the values of the discal CDA of the Nucleus Pulposus (NP) and the Annulus Fibrosus (AF) showed a very significant correlation with the intensity of pain, with the Oswestry score for the NP. The results show that there is no evidence of a statistically significant link between signs of root irritation, as well as with chronic smoking. 
Discussion- Conclusion
The study shows that PN dehydration has a significant link with chronic low back pain and disability. There is no correlation between the signs of root irritation and the proportion of water in the lumbar intervertebral disc. Similarly, the role of tobacco is not established. Other factors would come into play.