Case–control study of low-back pain referred for magnetic resonance imaging, with special focus on whole-body vibration

Abstract

Objectives To investigate risk factors for low-back pain (LBP) presenting for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with special focus on whole-body vibration (WBV). Methods A case-control approach was used. The study population comprised working-aged subjects from a catchment area for radiology services. Cases were a consecutive series referred for a lumbar MRI because of LBP. Controls were age- sex-matched subjects X-rayed for other reasons. Subjects were questioned about physical factors loading the spine, psychosocial factors, driving, personal characteristics, mental health, and certain beliefs about LBP. Exposure to WBV was assessed by six measures, including weekly duration of professional driving, hours driven at a spell, and current r.m.s. A(8). Associations with WBV were examined with adjustment for age, sex, and other potential confounders. Results Altogether, 252 cases and 820 controls were studied, including 185 professional drivers. Strong associations were found with poor mental health and belief in work as a causal factor for LBP, and with occupational sitting for ≥3 hours while not driving. Associations were also seen with taller stature, consulting propensity, BMI, smoking history, fear-avoidance beliefs, frequent twisting, low decision latitude and low support at work. However, associations with the six metrics of WBV were weak and not statistically significant, and no exposure-response relationships were found. Conclusions We found little evidence of a risk from professional driving or WBV. Drivers were substantially less heavily exposed to WBV than in some earlier surveys. Nonetheless, it seems that at the population level, WBV is not an important cause of LBP referred for MRI.

Are tall people at higher risk of low back pain surgery? A discussion on the results of a multipurpose cohort

“…A hospital‐based study found that mean stature was higher in the patients who required radical treatment for disc‐related sciatica, but this relationship was not significant in the multivariate analysis (6). A recent case–control study reports a positive association between height and LBP patients referred for magnetic resonance imaging (OR adj = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.2) (7). Results were adjusted on mental health, smoking status, tendency to somatize, propensity to consult for LBP, and occupational risk factors.…”

Whole-body vibration and musculoskeletal diseases in professional truck drivers

“…Among the studies chosen for review, after the application of the selection criteria, we did not find evidence for the relevance of WBV exposure to health issues except in the case-control study developed by Palmer et al (28). The authors explain their findings by the conditions of the sample cases in relation to the period of WBV exposure, which was after the occurrence of low back pain; and by the diversity of activities present by the drivers.…”

“…Thus, 37 works were reviewed by two researchers through a complete reading followed by the application of the pre-defined eligibility criteria for the systematization of evidence. The final result of the search and selection phase included nine articles (9,10,11,17,24,25,26,27,28): six cross-sectional, two prospective cohort, and one case-control studies, all of which were classified as high quality by the identification of the association between WBV and MSD in PTD (Figure 1). of the studies.…”

Epidemiology of Low Back Pain in Adults

“…Heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and prolonged walking or standing were found to be predictors of future back pain, as well as similar associations with heavy lifting, physical workload, job demands and control, stressful and monotonous work, and dissatisfaction with work . Vehicular driving had been associated with a higher incidence of back symptoms and degenerative changes, and was attributed to the effects of whole‐body vibration on the intervertebral disc . However, in an extensive review by the Swedish National Institute for Work and Life , it was cautioned that though most studies revealed significantly higher frequencies of back symptoms and degenerative changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs of drivers, “uncontrolled confounding factors may have affected the results in all studies, and the conclusions about the causal role of whole‐body vibration for observed injuries and/or disorders, therefore, becomes uncertain.”…”