|
KMID : 0350519930460041751
|
|
Journal of Catholic Medical College
1993 Volume.46 No. 4 p.1751 ~ p.1769
|
|
|
Risk Factors of Low Back Pain of the Workers in an Automobile Industry ,
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
An epiemiological study was carried out to investigate the risk factors of low back pain among male workers aged 20-55 employed in an automobile industry in Korea. Data were gathered from them during the time period from February to June, 1993.
Five hundred ninety one workers participated in this study were divided into two groups : low back pain group(LBP) and control group, accrding to the self-reports by written questionnaires.
Physical fitness, demographic characteristics, medical history, work related factors, job stress, jobsatisfaction, fatigue, and MMPI were compared between two groups.
Also radiographic study was carried out to clarify the relationship between job related low back pain and radiologic features of lumbar spine. The resultant data were processed for χ*-test, t-test, and stepwise logistic regression to confirm the
adjusted odds ratios.
@ES The results are as follows :
@EN 1. Back muscle strength and flexibility of lumbar spine of LBP group were significantly lower in comparison with control group.
Also, the frequency of low back pain history was significantly higher in LBP group.
2. LBP group revealed low job satisfaction, high job stress and excessive fatigue symptoms.
The aveage T-scores of MMPI of both groups are within normal range. However, significant differences were found between two groups in the differenciated component of MMPI : hypochondriasis and hysteria.
3. LBP group were more frequently involved in lifting and carrying, working in awkward position, bending, twisting and using lower extremities. Also LBP group were exposed more to vibration during working.
4. In the analysis of radiographs of lumbar spine, Jacob´s line not crossing the fourth lumbar disc space, transitional vertebrae and lumbar displacement more than 4.4 mm in standing lateral view were more frequently observed in LBP group than
control
group.
5. Workers with lower or higher Jacob´s line in LBP group were noticed in more unsuitable workplaces than those with normal Jacob´s line while on duty.
6. Previous back diseases, lifting and carrying work, excessive physical fatigue and weakened back strength of workers were directly associated with low back pain.
Odds ratios of these 4 risk factors of low back pain wer 5.1, 3,3, 1.5, and 1.2 respectively
Based on these results, it is concluded that the identification of previous history of back problem, job replacement or change of woking environment ofr workers with previous back problem and measures to relieve both physical and psychological
fatigue
of the workers are required for optimal management of work-related back problems among workers.
Promotion of individual worker´s physical fitness for the prevention of low back problems is also strongly recommended.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|
|