Association between Pain in Adolescence and Low Back Pain in Adulthood: Studying a Cohort of Mine Workers

Abstract

Purpose. To study the association of self-reported pain in adolescence with low back pain (LBP) in adulthood among mine workers and, also, study associations between the presence of LBP over 12-month or one-month LBP intensity during a health examination and daily ratings of LBP three and nine months later. Methods. Mixed design with data collected retrospectively, cross-sectionally, and prospectively. Data was collected using a questionnaire during a health examination and by using self-reported daily ratings of LBP three and nine months after the examination. Results. Pain prevalence during teenage years was 55% and it was 59% at age 20. Pain during teenage years had a relative risk of 1.33 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.73) of LBP 12 months prior to the health examination, but with no associations with LBP intensity or LBP assessed by text messaging. Pain at age 20 years was not associated with any measure of LBP in adulthood. Daily ratings of LBP were associated with LBP during the health examination three and nine months earlier. Conclusions. There were no clear associations between self-reported pain in adolescence and LBP in adulthood. Self-reported daily ratings of LBP were associated with LBP from the health examination. Possible limitations for this study were the retrospective design and few participants.

Self-reported exposure to dust and diesel exhaust, respiratory symptoms, and use of respiratory protective equipment among Arctic miners

“…To our knowledge, there are no previous studies examining the association between air pollution and respiratory symptoms, nor the use of PPE by miners working in Arctic conditions. Previous research regarding data from the present study (MineHealth) have focused on musculoskeletal symptoms and exposure to whole-body vibration [ 16 , 17 ], low back pain [ 18 , 19 ], thermal perception thresholds [ 20 ], and thermal comfort sustained by cold protective clothing in Arctic open-pit mining [ 21 ]. The primary aim of this study was to assess self-reported exposure to air pollution of Arctic open pit mine workers and examine the association with respiratory symptoms.…”