Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of persistent low-back pain (LBP) based on the number of patient-handling activities among female healthcare workers with no LBP and those with sub-chronic LBP at baseline. Method Female healthcare workers in the eldercare services answered a questionnaire about the number of patient-handling activities (<1, 1–2, 3–10, >10 per day) and days with LBP in 2005. We prospectively investigated the odds ratio (OR) for developing persistent (>30 days in the past 12 months) LBP in 2006 from the frequency of patient-handling activities using multi-adjusted logistic regression analysis among female healthcare workers without LBP (0 days in the past 12 months) (N=1544) and with sub-chronic LBP (1–30 days in the past 12 months) (N=2294) in 2005. Results Among female healthcare workers with sub-chronic LBP at baseline, the multi-adjusted OR for developing persistent LBP was 1.04 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.71–1.52] for those with 1–2 activities, 1.29 (95% CI 0.91–1.83) for those with 3–10 activities, and 1.61 (95% CI 1.07–2.42) for those with >10 patient-handling activities per day (P=0.01 for trend), referencing those not performing patient-handling activities. Among female healthcare workers without LBP at baseline, we did not find an increased risk for developing persistent LBP within one year resulting from performing several patient-handling activities. Conclusion Preventive initiatives for persistent LBP may aim to keep the number of patient-handling activities below ten per day among healthcare workers with sub-chronic LBP.

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doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3329, hdl.handle.net/1765/74729
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Holtermann, A., Clausen, T., Jørgensen, M. B., Burdorf, A., & Andersen, L. (2013). Patient handling and risk for developing persistent low-back pain among female healthcare workers. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 39(2), 164–169. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3329