BACKGROUND: A previous survey had indicated high rates of low back
pain (LBP) in Iranian nurses and office workers.
OBJECTIVE: To explore possible risk factors, we carried out a
longitudinal study of the same subjects.
METHODS: Baseline information about risk factors and recent history
of LBP was collected by self-administered questionnaire from 246 nurses and
182 office workers. Approximately 12 months later, 385 (90%) answered a
second questionnaire about LBP in the past month. Predictors of LBP at
follow-up were assessed by Poisson regression and summarised by prevalence
rate ratios (PRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS: In a regression model that included all risk factors, the
strongest predictor of LBP at follow-up was report of recent LBP at
baseline. In addition, LBP was associated with older age, adverse beliefs
about the work-relatedness of LBP (PRR 1.3, 95%CI 1.0-1.5), and
incentives from piecework or bonuses (PRR 1.4, 95%CI 1.1-1.6). When
baseline report of LBP was omitted from the model, associations were also
observed with tendency to somatise, poor mental health and time pressures at
work.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the importance of psychosocial
risk factors for LBP, including adverse health beliefs and working
conditions that encourage higher output.
