Assessment of the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in operating room health workers: An observational study in Italy

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among healthprofessionals and the possible risk factors. Methods: The study was carried out from April 2018 to October 2018 among all health workers of theOrthopaedic Clinic and the Emergency Department of “Policlinico Umberto I” in Rome. LBP wasassessed using the Nordic Questionnaire Musculoskeletal Disorders in the section on lumbar pain.The type of physical activity carried out as prevention was investigated by use of theInternational Physical Activity Questionnaires. The overall state of health and lifestyle wasdeter- mined by the Short Form 12-item Health Survey. Job satisfaction and perceived work stresswere assessed through the 15-questions of Karasek’s Questionnaire. The intensity of the low backpain was assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale. A univariate analysis was conducted to assess theassociations between socio-demographic and working variables. Multiple logistic regression mod- elswere used to assess independent correlates of LBP. Results: One hundred thirteen subjects were enrolled, 52 women and 61 men. The annual period-prevalence of lumbar musculoskeletal disorder was found on 79.6% of participants with LBP.Mean value evidence of NRS was 2.66. The highest LBP risk over the 12 months was found in groupswith high job demand (OR = 1.18; 95%CI: 1.01 – 1.38), low decision-making opportunities (fordecision latitude OR = 0.87; (0-76 – 1.0), and low levels of physical activity (OR = 0.75; 95%CI:0.64 – 0.89). Conclusion: The working environment is a potential risk factor for the development of LBP and issuitable for prevention programmes. The protective effect of physical activity and work-relatedstress management indicate room for improvements for the prevention of LBP in these HCWs. Conflicts of interest: None declared.