Back disorders and health problems among subway train operators exposed to whole-body vibration.
Back disease associated with whole-body vibration has not been evaluated for subway train operators. A recent study demonstrated that this group is exposed to whole-body vibration at levels above the international standard. To investigate this risk further, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among subway train operators (N = 492) and a similar reference group (N = 92). The operators had a higher prevalence than the referents in all aspects of back problems, particularly for cervical and lower back pain. In a multiple logistic regression model, the odds ratio for sciatic pain among subway train operators was 3.9 (95% CI 1.7-8.6); the operators also had a higher risk of hearing-related problems (odds ratio 3.2, 95% CI 0.6-17.4) and of gastrointestinal problems (odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5). Although a cumulative dose-response relationship could not be statistically demonstrated, the findings appear to be related to exposure to whole-body vibration and inadequate ergonomic conditions.
Johanning
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Department of Community Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029-6574.
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009519:New York City; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011890:Railroads; D012307:Risk Factors; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*