Which factor increases risk for spinal infection in back pain patients?

Which factor increases risk for spinal infection in back pain patients?

• A. Regular exercise
• B. Recent bacteremia or urinary tract infection
• C. Normal white blood cell count
• D. Vitamin D deficiency

Answer: (B)

Spinal infections typically arise when bacteria spread through the bloodstream and seed the vertebrae or intervertebral discs. A recent bacteremia or a urinary tract infection provides a source for that hematogenous spread, making it a clear factor that increases the risk of a spinal infection in someone with back pain. Regular exercise is not a risk factor and is generally protective. A normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection, since early or localized spinal infections may not cause leukocytosis. Vitamin D deficiency isn’t a known major driver of spinal infection risk. In practice, this risk factor is especially important when fever, focal spinal tenderness, and elevated inflammatory markers are present, prompting appropriate imaging like MRI to assess for infection.

Spinal infections typically arise when bacteria spread through the bloodstream and seed the vertebrae or intervertebral discs. A recent bacteremia or a urinary tract infection provides a source for that hematogenous spread, making it a clear factor that increases the risk of a spinal infection in someone with back pain. Regular exercise is not a risk factor and is generally protective. A normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection, since early or localized spinal infections may not cause leukocytosis. Vitamin D deficiency isn’t a known major driver of spinal infection risk. In practice, this risk factor is especially important when fever, focal spinal tenderness, and elevated inflammatory markers are present, prompting appropriate imaging like MRI to assess for infection.