Incidence of sciatic pain among men in machine operating, dynamic physical work, and sedentary work. A three-year follow-up.
The incidence of sciatic pain among 25-49 year-old men in three different types of work: machine operating, dynamic physical work (construction carpenters), and office work was assessed prospectively. Postal questionnaires both at the beginning and the end of the 3-year follow-up were answered by 1149 men who at baseline had no history of sciatic pain. The crude risk ratio of the incidence of sciatic pain was 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.2) for the machine operators and 1.7 (1.3-2.4) for the carpenters when the office workers were referents. The adjusted risk ratios were 1.4 (1.0-1.9) and 1.5 (1.1-2.1), respectively. Previous history of severe lumbago or other low-back pain increased the risk fourfold. Frequent physical exercise and smoking were of borderline significance as predictors.
Riihimäki
H
H
Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Viikari-Juntura
E
E
Moneta
G
G
Kuha
J
J
Videman
T
T
Tola
S
S
D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012585:Sciatica / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires