Does rare use of assistive devices during patient handling increase the risk of low back pain? A prospective cohort study among female healthcare workers

TY - JOUR

T1 - Does rare use of assistive devices during patient handling increase the risk of low back pain?

T2 - A prospective cohort study among female healthcare workers

AU - Holtermann, Andreas

AU - Clausen, Thomas

AU - Jørgensen, Marie Birk

AU - Aust, Birgit

AU - Mortensen, Ole Steen

AU - Burdorf, Alex

AU - Fallentin, Nils

AU - Andersen, Lars L

PY - 2015/4

Y1 - 2015/4

N2 - Purpose: To investigate whether rare use of assistive devices during patient handling increases the respective risk for infrequent and frequent low back pain (LBP) among female healthcare workers reporting to be free of LBP at baseline. Method: Female healthcare workers replied to questionnaires about use of assistive devices during patient handling activities (rarely, occasionally and often) and LBP in both 2005 and 2006. Among those reporting to be free of LBP (0 days the past 12 months) in 2005 (n = 1,478), the multi-adjusted odds ratio for developing infrequent LBP (1–30 days the past 12 months) and frequent LBP (>30 days the past 12 months) in 2006 depending on use of assistive devices was prospectively investigated. Results: The multi-adjusted odds ratio for developing infrequent LBP was 1.21 (95 % CI 0.90–1.62) for those occasionally using assistive devices, and 1.78 (95 % CI 1.19–2.66) for those rarely using assistive devices, referencing healthcare workers often using assistive devices during patient handling (p < 0.01 for trend). No associations between use of assistive devices during patient handling and risk of frequent LBP were found. Conclusion: The study indicates that rare use of assistive devices can increase the risk for developing infrequent LBP in female healthcare workers reporting to be free from LBP at baseline.

AB - Purpose: To investigate whether rare use of assistive devices during patient handling increases the respective risk for infrequent and frequent low back pain (LBP) among female healthcare workers reporting to be free of LBP at baseline. Method: Female healthcare workers replied to questionnaires about use of assistive devices during patient handling activities (rarely, occasionally and often) and LBP in both 2005 and 2006. Among those reporting to be free of LBP (0 days the past 12 months) in 2005 (n = 1,478), the multi-adjusted odds ratio for developing infrequent LBP (1–30 days the past 12 months) and frequent LBP (>30 days the past 12 months) in 2006 depending on use of assistive devices was prospectively investigated. Results: The multi-adjusted odds ratio for developing infrequent LBP was 1.21 (95 % CI 0.90–1.62) for those occasionally using assistive devices, and 1.78 (95 % CI 1.19–2.66) for those rarely using assistive devices, referencing healthcare workers often using assistive devices during patient handling (p < 0.01 for trend). No associations between use of assistive devices during patient handling and risk of frequent LBP were found. Conclusion: The study indicates that rare use of assistive devices can increase the risk for developing infrequent LBP in female healthcare workers reporting to be free from LBP at baseline.

KW - Adult

KW - Denmark/epidemiology

KW - Female

KW - Health Personnel

KW - Humans

KW - Logistic Models

KW - Low Back Pain/epidemiology

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Moving and Lifting Patients/adverse effects

KW - Occupational Diseases/epidemiology

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Self-Help Devices/adverse effects

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

U2 - 10.1007/s00420-014-0963-4

DO - 10.1007/s00420-014-0963-4

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25053444

SN - 0340-0131

VL - 88

SP - 335

EP - 342

JO - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

JF - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

IS - 3

ER -