Occupational Characteristics of Low Back Pain Among Standing Workers in a Japanese Manufacturing Company

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem that adversely affects the quality of life (QOL) of workers. The etiology of LBP is considered to be multi-factorial with individual, physical, and psychosocial factors contributing to its development and persistence. Although prevention of LBP in workers in the workplace is very important, only a small number of studies have assessed the risk factors and epidemiology of LBP among Japanese factory workers who stand as part of their job. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of LBP in 691 factory employees who conducted their work while standing. Health-related QOL was evaluated using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) to quantify the severity of LBP with the aim of identifying risk factors for LBP among workers who stand as part of their work in an electronics manufacturing company. We observed that the prevalence of LBP lasting for at least 48 hours within a week was 20.0% among participants, with female employees and those with a prior history of LBP having a significantly increased risk of developing LBP. The distribution of the RDQ score showed a negative regression curve among the employees, which was different from the normal distribution pattern reported previously in Japanese patients with LBP. These findings suggest that prolonged standing among factory workers poses an increased risk for LBP.

Fraction and Number of Unemployed Associated with Self-Reported Low Back Pain: A Nation-Wide Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

“…First, previous studies report that women are prone to LBP, but we cannot find reports that women are at an increased risk of leaving their jobs due to LBP. Numerous studies show that women have a higher prevalence of LBP than men [6,[11][12][13]32]. For this mechanism, women have a lower level of muscle strength and lung function [33], a lower pain threshold [34], and a higher level of engagement in domestic work than men [19].…”

“…According to a report on employment services in Japan [38], construction, manufacturing, and transport are among the top five industries with the highest number of mid-career hires. These industries are reported to have a high risk of LBP [9][10][11] and to be male-dominated; the percentage of male workers by industry is 85.6% for construction, 70.5% for manufacturing, and 81.8% for transport [39]. To summarize the above, although women are more vulnerable to LBP than men [19,33,34], unemployed men with LBP may have more difficulty in finding new employment because it is more difficult for men than for women to find work that does not put a strain on the lower back [37][38][39].…”

“…Occupation is a worldwide cause of LBP; globally, 37% of LBP is attributed to occupational risk factors [5]. A large number of studies report that work-related LBP is more prevalent in occupations with heavy lifting, whole-body vibration, forceful movements, and awkward postures [5,6], such as nursing [7], caregiving [8], transport [9], construction [10], and manufacturing [11]. However, it is difficult to determine whether LBP is associated with unemployment through a workplace survey of workers only.…”

Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevalance, Job-Related Strain and Related Factors Among Academicians

“…1,2,[4][5][6][7][8] Kadınlarda, sigara kullananlarda, şişmanlarda, ilerleyen yaşlarda KİSS'e ilişkin riskin arttığı belirtilirken; uygunsuz postür, vibrasyon, ağır kaldırma, tekrarlayan hareketler, uzun süre aynı pozisyonda kalma, sürekli ayakta durma ya da oturma; kullanılan sandalye, masa, fare gibi araç gerecin uygunsuzluğu gibi faktörlerin KİSS'de fiziksel-mekanik ve ergonomik risk etmenleri olarak sıralandığı görülmektedir. 4,[9][10][11][12][13] 2000'li yıllardan sonra KİSS'in -iş memnuniyetsizliği, algılanan yüksek iş yükü, düzensiz ve uzun çalışma saatleri, zaman baskısı, karar alma özerkliğinin düşük olması, anlaşmazlıklar, yeterli dinlenememe yetersiz sosyal destek, emek-ödül dengesizliği ve düşük gelir gibi psikososyal risk faktörleri ile ilişkilendirildiği görülmektedir. 4,5,11,[14][15][16][17][18][19] Günümüzde iş gerilimi ile ilişkili psikososyal risk faktörlerini değerlendirmede sıklıkla Karasek tarafından 1970'li yılların sonunda geliştirilen "İş Yükü-İş Kontrolü Modeli" kullanılmaktadır.…”

Use of a Spinal Traction Device during Work Shift in Assembly Line Workers

“…Many workers are required to stand for long periods of time without being able to walk or sit during the work shift. Prolonged standing at work has been shown to be associated with low back pain and musculoskeletal discomfort [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Prolonged standing implies a load for the spine that is translated into a significant loss of height known as shrinkage [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”