Researchers at King’s College London have for the first time
identified a gene linked to age-related degeneration of the intervertebral
discs in the spine, a common cause of lower back pain.
Costing the UK an estimated £7billion a year due to sickness
leave and treatment costs, the causes of back pain are not yet fully
understood. Until now, the genetic cause of lower back pain associated with
lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) was unknown, but the largest study to date,
published this week in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, has revealed
an association with the PARK2 gene.
journal reference (full text article): BMJ >>