Modic changes-Their associations with low back pain and activity limitation: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous systematic reviews have reported positive associations between Modic changes (MCs) and low back pain (LBP), but due to their narrow scope and new primary studies, there is a need for a comprehensive systematic review. Our objectives were to investigate if MCs are associated with non-specific LBP and/or activity limitation and if such associations are modified by other factors.

Methods: A protocol for this review was registered at PROSPERO prior to commencing the work (PROSPERO record: CRD42015017350).