Objective:

To explore the relationship between gut dysbiosis and lumbar pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration through a review of relevant literature.

Background:

Lumbar pain is a highly prevalent condition worldwide, significantly impacting healthcare costs and quality of life. Among its causes, intervertebral disc degeneration is commonly cited. Recent research highlights the gut microbiome’s role in regulating bodily functions, including its potential impact on intervertebral disc health. This literature review aims to compile and analyze studies on how gut dysbiosis influences disc degeneration and related lumbar pain.

Design/Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The search strategy included the keywords: “Lumbago,” “Lower Back Pain,” “Dysbiosis,” and “Gut Microbiota.” Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” were applied. Out of 110 articles identified, 27 unique articles were selected based on relevance and screened independently by two authors. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed for the filtering process, and six articles were deemed relevant for final analysis.

Results:

Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a role in disc degeneration through inflammatory processes and immune system modulation. Dysbiosis is associated with increased intestinal permeability, facilitating the translocation of bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides, into the bloodstream. These substances may trigger systemic inflammation, contributing to disc degeneration. Animal studies indicate that interventions aimed at restoring gut microbiota, such as fecal transplants, can reduce inflammation and improve disc health.

Conclusions:

The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a factor in intervertebral disc degeneration and associated lumbar pain. Therapies aimed at correcting dysbiosis, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal transplants, may offer novel, non-surgical treatments for chronic lumbar pain. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings and optimize therapeutic strategies targeting the gut-disc axis.