Chronic low back pain among tobacco farmers in southern Brazil

Background:

Despite tobacco farming involving intensive manual labor, chronic low back pain (CLBP) prevalence and associated factors are unknown among this occupational group.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in southern Brazil. A random sample of tobacco farmers was interviewed. Socioeconomic and individual characteristics, occupational tasks, workloads, and comorbidities were investigated. Chronic low back pain prevalence was described in relation to independent variables, and associations were examined with Poisson regression.

Results:

Chronic low back pain prevalence was 8·4%. Increasing age, rearing two or more species of livestock (PR 1·65), exposure to tasks that require heavy physical exertion (PR 2·00), working in awkward postures (PR 1·36), green tobacco sickness (GTS) (PR 1·63), pesticide poisoning (PR 2·37), and minor psychiatric disorders (PR 2·55) were associated with CLBP.

Conclusions:

This study found that CLBP is a relevant health problem among tobacco farmers and highlights understudied risk factors such as pesticide poisoning and GTS. Policies to minimize exposure to physiological and chemical workloads in tobacco planting to prevent CLBP are needed. Health professionals should be trained to diagnose and prevent acute low back pain episodes and thus prevent/minimize limitations and disabilities due to CLBP.     

某汽车厂工人下背痛患病率及其影响因素

目的 研究汽车生产工人下背痛（LBP）的患病情况及其影响因素。方法 于2013年6月采用二阶段整群随机抽样方法在湖北省十堰市某汽车公司抽取3 800名工人进行问卷调查。结果 该公司工人LBP年患病率为60.3%;单因素分析,对LBP发生的危险因素有：年龄＞30岁、几乎一直长时间站立（指持续时间＞1 h,下同）、工作时需做弯腰动作、工龄11~15年、工作时需做转身动作、工作时需保持弯腰姿势、高频率的重复性作业、人员短缺,它们对患病率影响依次递降,OR值范围在2.14~1.54,影响最大的是年龄30~39岁（OR=2.14,95%CI=1.70~2.68）和“几乎一直长时间站立”（OR=1.93,95%CI=1.56~2.40）;保护因素有：有充足的休息时间 （OR=0.56,95%CI=0.49~0.64）、可以自己决定何时开始和结束工作（OR=0.65,95%CI=0.55~0.77）、长时间坐着工作（OR=0.91,95%CI=0.78~1.07）;体质指数、长时间跪着工作、长时间坐着工作对LBP的影响无统计学意义（P>0.05）。多因素非条件logistic回归分析结果显示,女性、年龄≥30岁、工龄≥11年、工作时需做弯腰动作、几乎一直站立工作、几乎一直坐位工作、多次重复性操作、人员短缺为危险因素,休息时间充足、可以自己决定何时开始和结束工作为保护因素。结论 在汽车制造业工人中,LBP具有较高的患病率,需要采取改进工作体位、减少高频重复动作、改善劳动组织管理等措施予以干预。     

Association of risk factors with musculoskeletal disorders in manual-working farmers

The current study is aimed at recognizing the risk factors for major work-related issues (ie, musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs]) among 138 manual-working farmers. Data were collected using modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment score sheet. Different factors influencing MSDs were detected using logistic regression methods. The highest occurrence rate for MSDs was observed in the lower back (71.4%), followed by fingers (62.1%), shoulders (56.4%), and hands/wrists (55%). Factors such as age, gender, daily working hours, hand dominance, perceived fatigue, and work experience were found to be associated with MSDs in one or more upper body regions. The outcome of multinomial regression showed that gender is the most influencing factor for MSDs in all upper body regions except the shoulders. The outcomes of study indicate high occurrence of MSDs among manual-working farmers and highlight the significance of individual and work-related factors.     

Risk factors for back pain among male farmers: analysis of Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Study.

BACKGROUND: Back pain causes considerable morbidity, disability, and economic loss among workers. Farmers handle heavy objects, often in awkward postures. However, the prevalence of back pain among farmers and the risk factors associated with back pain are not well known. METHODS: In this study, we assess the frequency of risk factors for back pain among 287 Iowa male farmers. From 1992 to 1994, using a mail questionnaire, we collected data on potential risk factors for back pain. Eighteen months later, we surveyed occurrence of back pain as the outcome measure. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of farmers reported having daily back pain for a week or more during the past 12 months compared to 18.5% in the general working population. Using a multiple logistic regression model, we found two factors associated with back pain: 45-59 years of age (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.02-4.43) and having a non-agricultural job as the major occupation (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 0.98-4.17, P = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of back pain than the general working population. Middle-aged farmers and those with additional non-agricultural jobs had the highest risk for back pain.     

Low back pain and risk factors among Taxi drivers in Turkey: a cross-sectional study

Background: Taxi drivers have an increased risk of low back pain due to both physical and occupational conditions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of low back pain and occupational risk factors among taxi drivers working in Izmir, Turkey. Methods: This study was conducted with 447 taxi drivers at randomly selected taxi stands between April and September 2021. The questionnaire included demographic, individual, and work-related questions; the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire; and the Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS). Results: The prevalence of low back pain in the last year was 49.7%. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the risk factors for low back pain included having a body mass index of25-29.9 kg/m² (OR= 1.67, 95% CI 1.01-2.76) or >30 kg/m² (OR= 2.15, 95% CI 1.19-3.87), no physical activity (OR= 1.66, 95% CI1.06-2.62), years of work >10 (OR= 3.23, 95% CI1.89-5.53), no weekly rest period (OR= 3.11, 95% CI 1.42-6.81), having no lumbar support on the driver''s seat (OR=1.67, 95% CI 1.05-2.66), or undecisive job satisfaction (OR= 2.07, 95% CI 1.17-3.66). Being undecided about job satisfaction (OR= 2.34, 95% CI 1.15-4.92) and not having physical activity (OR= 2.10 CI 1.08-4.08) were found to be risk factors for reduced BPFS scores. Conclusion: A strong correlation was found between the frequency of low back pain and the BPFS score and occupational factors. Early detection and management of low back pain are critical to avoid increased low back pain and related injuries among taxi drivers.     

Low back pain and lumbar angles in Turkish coal miners

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the incidence of low back pain among Turkish coal miners and to investigate the relationship between angles of the lumbar spine and low back pain in coal miners. METHODS: Fifty underground workers (Group I) and 38 age-matched surface workers (Group II) were included in the study. All the subjects were asked about low back pain in the past 5 years. The severity of low back pain was evaluated with 10 mm visual analog scale (VAS). Modified oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (MOSW) was used to measure functional disability. Sacral horizontal angle (SHA), lumbosacral angle (LSA), and lumbar lordosis were measured through Cobb method. RESULTS: The prevalance of low back pain was higher in Group I than in Group II (78.0%, 32.4%, respectively, P < 0.001). The mean VAS score was higher in Group I than in Group II (P < 0.05). There was no difference in MOSW scores between the two Groups. The mean SHA was lower in Group I than in Group II (P = 0.02). No statistically significant difference was determined in lumbar angles of underground and surface workers with low back pain (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that low back pain occurred in 78.0% of Turkish coal miners. Although the nature of the occupation may have influenced coal miners' lumbar spinal curvature, lumbar angles are not a determinant for low back pain in this population. Further extensive studies involving ergonomic measurements are needed to validate our results for Turkish coal mining industry.     

Low back pain among Iranian industrial workers

BACKGROUND: Most epidemiological data concerning low back pain (LBP) are from high-income countries and there is very little information about LBP in the working population in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of LBP in Iranian industrial workers. To explore associations between LBP and physical and psychosocial factors at work, as well as lifestyle factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of the largest car-manufacturing group in Iran. The prevalence of LBP, work exposures and lifestyle factors were recorded using the standardized Nordic questionnaire for analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Demographic data and lifestyle factors (age, sex, education, weight, work experience, smoking and fitness training) were also collected. RESULTS: Of the 18,031 employees, 78% participated. The majority of subjects in this study population were young males (<30 years) and a small proportion was female (4%). The 1-year prevalence of self-reported LBP in this Iranian industrial population was 21% (20% males and 27% females). The prevalence rate of absence due to LBP was 5% per annum. The multiple logistic regression models indicated that the following remained risk indicators for LBP in the previous 12 months: increasing age, no regular exercise, heavy lifting, repetitive work and monotonous work. CONCLUSION: LPB is a common problem in the working population even in a developing country. Age and gender as well as certain work-related physical and psychosocial factors influenced the prevalence of LBP but the differences between different categories of workers were small.     

Associations of self estimated workloads with musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital nurses

OBJECTIVES—To investigate the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and arm pain (NSAP) as well as low back pain (LBP) among hospital nurses, and to examine the association of work tasks and self estimated risk factors with NSAP and LBP.
METHODS—A cross sectional study was carried out in a national university hospital in Japan. Full time registered nurses in the wards (n=314) were selected for analysis. The questionnaire was composed of items on demographic conditions, severity of workloads in actual tasks, self estimated risk factors for fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain in the previous month. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the Cox's proportional hazards model to study the association of pain with variables related to work and demographic conditions.
RESULTS—The prevalences of low back, shoulder, neck, and arm pain in the previous month were 54.7%, 42.8%, 31.3%, and 18.6%, respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital nurses was higher than in previous studies. In the Cox's models for LBP and NSAP, there were no significant associations between musculoskeletal pain and the items related to work and demographic conditions. The RRs for LBP tended to be relatively higher for "accepting emergency patients" and some actual tasks. Some items of self estimated risk factors for fatigue tended to have relatively higher RRs for LBP and NSAP.
CONCLUSIONS—It was suggested that musculoskeletal pain among hospital nurses may have associations with some actual tasks and items related to work postures, work control, and work organisation. Further studies, however, are necessary, as clear evidence of this potential association was not shown in the study.


Keywords: workloads; musculoskeletal pain; nurses     

Short time effects of a low-frequency,high intensity magnetic field in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain

IntroductionNeck and back pain afflicts millions of people. Magnetotherapy has shown to have anti-inflammatory effects that could act on pain generation, but the literature lacks provide a precise therapeutic protocol.MethodsA high-intensity electromagnetic field with a dedicated applicator was administered to 38 patients with low-back pain and 30 patients with neck pain. The device provides 60 mT and a frequency of 50 Hz for 30 minutes, the session was repeated 4 times.ResultsThe mean VAS of the low-back pain group decreased from 6.56 to 4.54, with a significant reduction of 30.8%. The mean VAS of the neck pain group decreased from 6.51 to 1.96, with a significant reduction of 69.9%.DiscussionThe treatment used showed good results in both groups of the patient, without side effects. The therapeutic protocol adopted is safe, provide rapid relief from the pain and is not time demanding. This treatment could represent an effective non-pharmacologic physical therapy option in the treatment of low-back pain and cervical pain.     

Musculoskeletal disorders among rural Australian nursing students

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among rural Australian nursing students and compare the results with other international studies. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: A self-reporting questionnaire adapted from previous research, was administered to 260 students from all three grades of a major nursing school in regional north Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: A high proportion of students reported an MSD at some body site (80.0%), with low back pain being the most common condition (59.2%). This was followed by MSD of the neck (34.6%), knee (25.0%), shoulder (23.8%), feet (16.5%), wrist (12.7%) and legs (11.9%). MSD of the shoulder was slightly more common among males when compared to females (39.3% vs 22.0%, P = 0.0424). Previous paid employment as a nurse or nursing assistant was found to increase the risk of upper arm MSD by a factor of 10.8 (odds ratio 10.8, 95% confidence interval 1.9-205.8, P = 0.0276). CONCLUSION: Overall, this investigation suggests that MSD is more frequent among rural Australian nursing students, when compared to their counterparts around the world. Their high rate of MSD is also comparable to that reported by hospital nurses in other countries.     

Stressful psychosocial work environment increases risk for back pain among retail material handlers

BACKGROUND: Back pain is a major source of lost work time. Occupational physical activity only accounts for a fraction of low back pain; therefore, there is growing interest in investigating other possible causes of back pain including the psychosocial work environment. METHODS: Material handlers (N = 6,311) in 160 newly opened stores were interviewed at study entry and approximately 6 months later. Factor analysis was used to reduce the 37 psychosocial questionnaire items to seven distinct factors. RESULTS: After adjusting for history of back problems and work-related lifting, risk of back pain was moderately increased among employees who reported high job intensity demands (odds ratio (OR) = 1.8), job dissatisfaction (OR = 1.7), and high job scheduling demands (OR = 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Modification of the psychosocial work environment for material handlers in large retail stores may help reduce back pain among employees.     

Exercise for workers with musculoskeletal pain: Does enhancing compliance decrease pain?

A low rate of compliance for exercise regimens is a difficult problem for programs aimed at treating or preventing musculoskeletal pain. In fact, the utility of exercise for common pain problems has been debated since poor compliance confounds proper program evaluation. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a compliance enhancement measure and subsequently to assess the effects of physical activity on pain perception. Forty-eight employees (mean age=42, 20 females) currently working at two companies and who reported musculoskeletal pain, but noexercise habit voluntarily served as subjects. The Comparison Group was provided with information and free membership at a health center. The Exercise Compliance Enhancement Group met individually with a behavioral psychologist, who employed cognitive-behavioral techniques, to plan their activity program. Results showed that the Compliance Enhancement Group had a higher rate of adherence and participated in significantly more exercises over the course of 6 months than did the Comparison Group. However, analyses based on pre- and posttest gain scores showed that the differences between the groups for aerobic capacity and pain intensity were not significant. However, when compilers were compared with noncompliers, those complying with the activity program were found to have improved their aerobic capacity more than noncompliers. Yet for overall pain intensity ratings, the difference between compilers and noncompliers was still not significant. Intensity ratings made immediately before and after exercising indicated that exercise activities were related to a significant increase in pain intensity. These results indicate that compliance for exercise may be significantly improved, but the effect of exercise activities on overall pain intensity was not significant relative to the comparison group.