Low back pain and related sick leave in nurses

Abstract

A sample of 1775 nurses from the University Hospitals of Leuven in Belgium answered questionnaires on their history of low back pain, related sick leave, aspects of work and some personal information. The overall prevalence of low back pain was 66%, and it was found to be significantly higher in men than in women. Further analysis revealed a higher prevalence of low back pain of acute origin in nursing aides, and more episodes of backache in nurses who developed low back pain progressively and in older subjects, Sick leave due to low back pain was reported more frequently by nursing aides, part-time workers, nurses with back pain of acute origin and older subjects. Nursing aides in particular reported seeking professional advice for their low back pain, followed by nurses who had experienced several episodes of backache. Of the subjects who were treated for low back pain, 42% were referred to a physiotherapist. The need for further research is emphasised.