The bone mineral content of the lumbar spine in patients with chronic low-back pain.

The bone mineral content (BMC) of the third lumbar vertebra was determined in 43 patients with chronic low-back pain. No correlation was found to sex, height, pain experience, functional disability, or alcohol consumption. A positive correlation was found between the BMC and body weight and between the BMC and smoking in men (but not in women). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the BMC and the overall duration of the back problem, ie, the longer duration the lower the BMC.