biostudies-literatureUnknown6(4)Feller D<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the association between patient-reported spinal morning stiffness and lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and systemic inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), in older patients with non-specific back pain. The ultimate objective is to help shape a future definition of spinal osteoarthritis (OA).<h4>Design</h4>Baseline data from the Dutch "Back Complaints in the Older Adults" (BACE) study was used. The relationship between the severity and duration of patient-reported spinal morning stiffness, LDD (i.e., multilevel disc space narrowing and multilevel osteophytes), and CRP was assessed. Regression models adjusted for confounding variables were performed.<h4>Results</h4>Six hundred and seventy-five patients were included. The mean age was 66.52 years (Osteoarthritis and cartilage open100535https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11566339biostudies-literatureThe association of spinal morning stiffness with lumbar disc degeneration and C-reactive protein: The back complaints in older adults (BACE) study.PMC11566339van den Berg RKoes BWFeller DBierma-Zeinstra SMOei EHGChiarotto AEnthoven WTMfalseThe association of spinal morning stiffness with lumbar disc degeneration and C-reactive protein: The back complaints in older adults (BACE) study.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the association between patient-reported spinal morning stiffness and lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and systemic inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), in older patients with non-specific back pain. The ultimate objective is to help shape a future definition of spinal osteoarthritis (OA).<h4>Design</h4>Baseline data from the Dutch "Back Complaints in the Older Adults" (BACE) study was used. The relationship between the severity and duration of patient-reported spinal morning stiffness, LDD (i.e., multilevel disc space narrowing and multilevel osteophytes), and CRP was assessed. Regression models adjusted for confounding variables were performed.<h4>Results</h4>Six hundred and seventy-five patients were included. The mean age was 66.52 years (2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2026-07-17T00:04:44.968Z2025-04-06T22:09:55.798ZS-EPMC115663393955447710.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100535