American Journal of Public Health, Vol 91, Issue 7 1069-1075, Copyright © 2001 by American Public Health Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Biomechanical and psychosocial risk factors for low back pain at work

MS Kerr, JW Frank, HS Shannon, RW Norman, RP Wells, WP Neumann and C Bombardier
Institute for Work and Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1E6, Canada. mkerr@iwh.on.ca

OBJECTIVES: This study determined whether the physical and psychosocial demands of work are associated with low back pain. METHODS: A case-control approach was used. Case subjects (n = 137) reported a new episode of low back pain to their employer, a large automobile manufacturing complex. Control subjects were randomly selected from the study base as cases accrued (n = 179) or were matched to cases by exact job (n = 65). Individual, clinical, and psychosocial variables were assessed by interview. Physical demands were assessed with direct workplace measurements of subjects at their usual jobs. The analysis used multiple logistic regression adjusted for individual characteristics. RESULTS: Self-reported risk factors included a physically demanding job, a poor workplace social environment, inconsistency between job and education level, better job satisfaction, and better coworker support. Low job control showed a borderline association. Physical-measure risk factors included peak lumbar shear force, peak load handled, and cumulative lumbar disc compression. Low body mass index and prior low back pain compensation claims were the only significant individual characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified specific physical and psychosocial demands of work as independent risk factors for low back pain.

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