Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgments
The study was supported by a grant from the Danish Parliament (SATS 2004). The authors thank the co-workers from the DHCWC-2004 study group for their contribution to data collection.
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The authors declare that we have no conflict of interest.
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Holtermann, A., Clausen, T., Jørgensen, M.B. et al. Does rare use of assistive devices during patient handling increase the risk of low back pain? A prospective cohort study among female healthcare workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 88, 335–342 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0963-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0963-4