Abstract
BackgroundEpisodes of low back pain (LBP) are very common among workers. A number of occupational risk factors have been shown to increase the risk for LBP. One of these risk factors is exposure to whole body vibration, which is a known characteristic in driving professions. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of driving on LBP amongst young professional drivers.MethodsThis is an historical-prospective cohort study based on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) database of male soldiers drafted between the years 1997–2006. Subjects’ medical history with specific reference to LBP medical history, clinical and radiographic findings were taken as part of the recruitment process to the IDF. The study group included subjects (n = 80,599) from three occupational groups: administrative units (AU), car drivers (CD) and truck drivers (TD) that were followed for 3 years. The incidence and recrudescence rates of LBP were calculated based on standardized LBP severity tiers.ResultsThe total incidence rate for LBP was 0.65%, 0.7% and 0.34% for AU, CD and TD respectively. In a comparison between subjects without a history of LBP (category 1) to subjects with a history of LBP without clinical findings (category 2) and subjects with a history of LBP with mild clinical / radiographic findings (category 3), the relative risk (RR) for severe LBP exacerbation was 1.4 (p < 0.001) and 3.8 (p < 0.01), respectively. The LBP exacerbation rates within different severity tiers yielded a similar trend amongst all profession groups.ConclusionsThis study included 80,000 soldiers who represent a population of driving and administrative occupations aged 18–21. The significant risk factors for developing LBP were a previous history of LBP and presence of LBP symptoms at the start of work. A correlation was identified between severity of LBP at the initial examination and further exacerbation of LBP in all examined occupations. Driving as a profession in our (young) age-group was not identified as a risk factor for LBP.
Highlights
Episodes of low back pain (LBP) are very common among workers
Population occupational groups The current study focuses on soldiers from three occupational groups: administrative units (AU) engaged in mostly sedentary work, professional car drivers (CD) and professional truck drivers (TD)
In this research we found that the incidence of LBP in driving professions was lower than in AU (RR = 0.49 vs. relative risk (RR) = 0.62, p < 0.001)
Summary
A number of occupational risk factors have been shown to increase the risk for LBP. One of these risk factors is exposure to whole body vibration, which is a known characteristic in driving professions. Burden of Disease 2010 Study, the global point prevalence of LBP was 9.4% (95% CI 9.0 to 9.8) and in some areas of the world as high as 15.0% (Western Europe – 15.0%, North Africa/Middle East – 14.8%) [3]. High prevalence of back pain, early degenerative changes of the spine and herniated lumbar disc problems and sciatica, have been consistently reported among vibration-exposed occupational groups [5,6,7].
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