Does occupational lifting and carrying among female health care workers contribute to an escalation of pain-day frequency?
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate if different frequencies, loads and trunk postures of occupational lifting and carrying increases the risk of sub-chronic (1-30 days last 12 months) low back pain (LBP) to become persistent (>30 days last 12 months) among female health care workers.
METHODS: Female health care workers answered a questionnaire about occupational lifting or carrying frequency (rarely, occasionally and frequently), load (low: 1-7 kg, moderate: 8-30 kg and heavy: >30 kg) and trunk posture (upright or forward bent back), and days with LBP in 2005 and 2006.
RESULTS: The odds ratio (OR) for developing persistent LBP in 2006 from these characteristics of occupational lifting and carrying was investigated with multi-adjusted logistic regressions among female health care workers with sub-chronic LBP (n = 2381) in 2005. Among health care workers with sub-chronic LBP, increased risk of persistent LBP was found from frequently lifting or carrying with forward bent back of moderate loads (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.15-2.33) and heavy loads (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.04-2.34). No increased risk for LBP to develop into a persistent condition was found for frequent lifting with upright back, frequent lifting or carrying of light loads, or occasionally lifting or carrying of any loads.
CONCLUSIONS: Preventive initiatives for sub-chronic LBP to develop into a persistent condition ought to focus on reducing frequent lifting and carrying of moderate and heavy loads with forward bent back.
Original language | English |
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Journal | European Journal of Pain |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 290-6 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISSN | 1090-3801 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2013 |
Bibliographical note
© 2012 European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters.
- Adult, Age Factors, Body Mass Index, Cohort Studies, Conflict, Psychological, Denmark/epidemiology, Emotions/physiology, Female, Health Personnel, Humans, Leisure Activities, Lifting/adverse effects, Logistic Models, Low Back Pain/epidemiology, Middle Aged, Occupational Exposure/adverse effects, Pain/epidemiology, Prospective Studies, Sick Leave/statistics & numerical data, Surveys and Questionnaires
Research areas
ID: 347800792