Interactions between physical and psychosocial demands of work associated to low back pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To examine the interaction between physical and psychosocial demands of work associated to low back pain. METHODS:Cross-sectional study carried out in a stratifi ed proportional random sample of 577 plastic industry workers in the metropolitan area of the city of Salvador, Northeast Brazil in 2002. An anonymous standard questionnaire was administered in the workplace by trained interviewers. Physical demands at work were self-rated on a 6-point numeric scale, with anchors at each end of the scale. Factor analysis was carried out on 11 physical demand variables to identify underlying factors. Psychosocial work demands were measured by demand, control and social support questions. Multivariate analysis was performed using the likelihood ratio test. RESULTS:The factor analysis identifi ed two physical work demand factors: material handling (factor 1) and repetitiveness (factor 2). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that factor 1 was positively associated with low back pain (OR=2.35, 95% CI 1.50;3.66). No interaction was found between physical and psychosocial work demands but both were independently associated to low back pain. CONCLUSIONS:The study found independent effects of physical and psychosocial work demands on low back pain prevalence and emphasizes the importance of physical demands especially of material handling involving trunk bending forward and trunk rotation regardless of age, gender, and body fi tness.

Distúrbios musculoesqueléticos em extremidades superiores distais entre homens e mulheres: resultados de estudo na indústria

“…The analysis captured two factors, characterizing dynamic work with load handling and correlates (factor 1: load-lifting, standing posture of work, using muscle strength with arms or hands, working with arms raised above shoulder height, working with trunk rotation, physical pressure with both hands on the work's object, and inclined torso) and static work with repeatability (factor 2: general motionless posture of work, not walking, repetitive movements with the hands, and sitting posture). Both factors presented high theoretical plausibility and were used as the independent variables of physical demands at work 31 .…”

“…From these academic products, among others, some epidemiology articles were published on epidemiological prevalence of MSDs in this population 6 ; interaction between physical and psychosocial demands on the occurrence of low back pain 31 ; leisure physical activities and MSDs 32 ; interaction between physical fitness and physical demands at work on the occurrence of MSDs 33 ; validity and reproducibility of self-registration of the physical demands at work 34 ; and factors associated with MSDs in workers of this industry 21 . This latest exploratory study found an association between these diseases and female sex, psychosocial demands, and job dissatisfaction.…”

Aspectos psicossociais do trabalho e dor musculoesquelética em professores

“…Os resultados do presente estudo fortalecem o pressuposto do modelo de Karasek 12 que estabelece que o trabalho sob condições de baixo controle e alta demanda (alta exigência) é prejudicial à saúde. Assim, a associação positiva entre o trabalho de alta exigência e DME nos membros inferiores, membros superiores e dorso corrobora os achados de outros estudos que investigaram os aspectos psicossociais do trabalho (utilizando o modelo demanda-controle) e DME 3,7,8,9,21,29,30 . Alguns estudos também encontraram associação entre trabalho ativo e DME 9,21 .…”

Invalidez por dor nas costas entre segurados da Previdência Social do Brasil

“…Only the 2007 data were used in the analysis due to a signifi cant reduction in the benefi ts between 2005 (24,239) and 2007 (10,839) and the fact that the team of medical experts who were paid per case examination was replaced with experts from the Brazilian Social Security Administration.…”

“…10 Nursing providers and oil workers showed a high prevalence of low back pain. 9,13 Both occupations require constant weight bearing.…”