Musculoskeletal injuries among operating room nurses: results from a multicenter survey in Rome, Italy

Abstract

Aim: Chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly low back pain (LBP), are increasing and represent a social and economic problem of growing importance, especially if correlated with working conditions. Health care workers are at higher risk of developing LBP during work shifts in the hospital. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of LBP among operating room nurses and to investigate the risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in the operating room. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study that included operating room nurses from nine hospitals. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, working activity and psychological attitude of nurses was collected using an anonymous self-administered structured questionnaire. We evaluated the association of frequency, localization and intensity of LBP (FLI) with qualitative variables, making use of univariate analysis, chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that affected the FLI. The covariates included in the model were the variables that had a p < 0.25 in the univariate analysis. The significance level was fixed at p < 0.05. Results: We studied a total of 185 (60.5% male) operating room nurses with a mean age of 36.08 (SD = 7.08). The chi-square test showed that FLI is associated with age (p = 0.042), physical activity (p = 0.036) and work shift (p = 0.01). The logistic regression indicated that age >35 years vs. age <35 (OR = 2.68; 95% CI = 1.17–6.18) and diurnal work shift vs. diurnal/ nocturnal (OR = 4.00; 95% CI = 1.72–9.0) represent risk factors associated with FLI, while physical activity is a protective factor (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.20–1.08). Conclusion: The data suggest that it is important to promote new programs of prevention based on professional training and physical activity among nurses and to improve the organization of work shifts in the hospital

Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain and disability index among operating room nurses

“…Female gender, advanced age and high Body Mass Index (BMI) are some examples of risk factors commonly associated with LBP [8][9][10][11][12][13] . Sport and regular physical activity were found to decrease LBP 14 . Working in the operating room (OR) carries its own risk for developing LBP due to exposure to additional risk factors such as prolonged standing and awkward posture during surgeries 6,[15][16][17] .…”

The global prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among operating room personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All included studies were written in English. In addition, two studies were conducted in Iran, 22,26 two in Saudi Arabia, 27,28 two in the U.S., 29,30 two in the Netherlands, 31,32 one in Italy, 33 one in Switzerland, 25 and one in the Gaza Strip. 34 Besides, the location was not specified in one study ( Table 1).…”

Low Back Pain in Population of Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia : An Epidemiological Study

“…In USA, back pain is the most common cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45 years, and in United Kingdom back pain is considered the common cause of absence from work as it represents 12.5% of all sick days [11]. Till present time the main cause of low back pain couldn't be found.…”