Neuropathic Low Back Pain and Burnout among Hungarian Workers

Abstract

Burnout is an increasingly prevalent syndrome mainly involving those working in human services. Although it is categorized as an occupational phenomenon and not as a medical condition, it seems to be strongly associated with several diseases such as pain syndromes. However, no studies examined the association between neuropathic low back pain and burnout. This questionnaire-based study was carried out between April 2019 and March 2020 in three main sites among teachers, social workers and healthcare workers. Demographic criteria included age, gender, marital status, number of children, type of work, years spent with work, work schedule, legal relation, secondary employment. Included diseases were diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, generalized pain (pain involving more than one area of the body) and depression. Low back pain was assessed by the painDETECT questionnaire, burnout was measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. Dysfunctional attitudes were also recorded. Overall, 1500 questionnaires were successfully delivered and 1141 responses received (response rate of 76%). Three hundred social workers, 399 teachers, 339 paramedics, 35 doctors and 68 medical attendants have completed our survey. In a multivariate analysis including of all factors (demographic criteria, burnout, depression, dysfunctional attitudes, comorbidity etc.) neuropathic low back pain was associated with age > 62 (OR = 3.981, p = 0.01), number of children ≥ 2 (OR = 2.638, p = 0.003), job type (being a social worker) (OR = 6.654, p < 0.001), burnout (OR = 2.577, p < 0.001), current depression (OR = 2.397, p < 0.001), and suffering from generalized pain (OR= 4.076, p < 0.001). This is the first study showing the association of burnout and neuropathic low back pain, which is the most common cause of disability. Based on our results neuropathic low back pain and burnout have similar risk factors and consequences which raises the possibility of similar pathophysiology.

The prevalence and risk factors of burnout and its association with mental issues and quality of life among hungarian postal workers: a cross-sectional study

“…Burnout can have serious mental and physical consequences including mental issues as insomnia or mood disorders and can also be closely associated with cardiovascular complications, chronic pain syndromes and increased sudden mortality in the young (< 45 years), which underlines the importance of proper screening [ 11 – 14 ]. However, this rate is comparable to the results of our previous Hungarian studies focusing on different population of workers [ 26 , 34 , 35 ]. Similar to healthcare workers, their salaries are far below the Hungarian average and they also tend to being overwhelmed with work, which are the most likely explanations of higher burnout rates in these populations.…”

Neuropathic pain and chronic pain as an underestimated interdisciplinary problem

“…It may be surprising that, despite the pressure, professional demands or thoughts of the employee being irreplaceable, not absenteeism but presenteeism brings greater adverse economic consequences. In the questionnaire-based cross-sectional study [26], which examined the association between neuropathic pain and burnout, the authors showed that both disorders shared congruous risk factors and effects, which may indicate a similar pathophysiology. Work environment, interpersonal and professional conflicts, and emotional distress leading to emotional depletion, detachment from work and reduced productivity are categorized as factors influencing the appearance of occupational burnout.…”

Burnout Among School Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

“…It is usually developed in response to poor working circumstances, interpersonal interactions, poor work management, and administration (Moueleu Ngalagou et al, 2019;Ndongo et al, 2020;Civilotti et al, 2021;Goldstein and Alesbury, 2021;Losung et al, 2021;Sener et al, 2021;Wirkus et al, 2021). It usually affects medical professionals, teachers, police officers, army soldiers, as well as many other professionals (Burki, 2020;Ndongo et al, 2020;Goldstein and Alesbury, 2021;Grupe et al, 2021;Llorca-Pellicer et al, 2021;Mák et al, 2021;Márquez et al, 2021;Ribeiro et al, 2021;Righi et al, 2021;Wirkus et al, 2021). The syndrome is characterized by various symptoms ranging from emotional to psychiatric, cognitive, and psychosomatic symptoms with different severities (Bauer et al, 2006;Schilling et al, 2019;Lass-Hennemann et al, 2020;Civilotti et al, 2021;Juczynski and Oginska-Bulik, 2021;Oginska-Bulik and Juczynski, 2021;Righi et al, 2021).…”