OBJECTIVE: To examine risk factors for onset of low back pain (LBP) in healthcare workers. METHODS: Nursing students, during their 3 year training period, and 1 year after training were studied in a prospective cohort study, with repeated self reported measurements of determinants of LBP at 6 monthly intervals for 3 years during training, and after a 12 month interval there was an additional final follow up. RESULTS: During training, increased risk of new episodes of LBP was associated with having had LBP at baseline, with part time work, and with a high score on the general health questionnaire (GHQ). A high GHQ score preceded the onset of LBP, in such a way that a high score at the immediately previous follow up increased risk of LBP at the next follow up. 12 Months after training, a history of recurring LBP during training increased the risk of a new episode as did having obtained work as a nurse. A high GHQ score at this follow up was also associated with a concurrently increased risk. Pre-existing GHQ score, either at the end of training or at baseline, had no effect on risk of LBP 12 months after training. CONCLUSIONS: Other than a history of LBP, pre-existing psychological distress was the only factor found to have a pre-existing influence on new episodes of LBP. Increased levels of psychological distress (as measured by the GHQ) preceded the occurrence of new episodes of pain by only short intervening periods, implying a role for acute distress in the onset of the disorder. This finding suggests that management of the onset of occupational LBP may be improved by management of psychological distress.
OBJECTIVE: To examine risk factors for onset of low back pain (LBP) in healthcare workers. METHODS: Nursing students, during their 3 year training period, and 1 year after training were studied in a prospective cohort study, with repeated self reported measurements of determinants of LBP at 6 monthly intervals for 3 years during training, and after a 12 month interval there was an additional final follow up. RESULTS: During training, increased risk of new episodes of LBP was associated with having had LBP at baseline, with part time work, and with a high score on the general health questionnaire (GHQ). A high GHQ score preceded the onset of LBP, in such a way that a high score at the immediately previous follow up increased risk of LBP at the next follow up. 12 Months after training, a history of recurring LBP during training increased the risk of a new episode as did having obtained work as a nurse. A high GHQ score at this follow up was also associated with a concurrently increased risk. Pre-existing GHQ score, either at the end of training or at baseline, had no effect on risk of LBP 12 months after training. CONCLUSIONS: Other than a history of LBP, pre-existing psychological distress was the only factor found to have a pre-existing influence on new episodes of LBP. Increased levels of psychological distress (as measured by the GHQ) preceded the occurrence of new episodes of pain by only short intervening periods, implying a role for acute distress in the onset of the disorder. This finding suggests that management of the onset of occupational LBP may be improved by management of psychological distress.
Authors: S J Bigos; M C Battié; D M Spengler; L D Fisher; W E Fordyce; T H Hansson; A L Nachemson; M D Wortley Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 1991-01 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: M L Skovron; M N Mulvihill; R C Sterling; M Nordin; G Tougas; M Gallagher; E J Speedling Journal: Ergonomics Date: 1987-02 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: Francesco S Violante; Francesca Graziosi; Roberta Bonfiglioli; Stefania Curti; Stefano Mattioli Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2005-10-12 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Anna P Dawson; Skye N McLennan; Stefan D Schiller; Gwendolen A Jull; Paul W Hodges; Simon Stewart Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2007-05-23 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Paul I Musey; Sarah D Linnstaedt; Timothy F Platts-Mills; James R Miner; Andrey V Bortsov; Basmah Safdar; Polly Bijur; Alex Rosenau; Daniel S Tsze; Andrew K Chang; Suprina Dorai; Kirsten G Engel; James A Feldman; Angela M Fusaro; David C Lee; Mark Rosenberg; Francis J Keefe; David A Peak; Catherine S Nam; Roma G Patel; Roger B Fillingim; Samuel A McLean Journal: Acad Emerg Med Date: 2014-11-24 Impact factor: 3.451