Study of the prevalence and risk factors for low back pain in truck drivers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of low back pain in truck drivers and check for possible risk factors related to the presence of low back pain.


METHODS
A questionnaire was developed including personal factors such as age, practice of physical and sports activities, general health habits, occupation-related issues, and factors associated with low back pain. The body mass index (ratio of body weight to the square of height, kg/m2) was calculated. Of 489 male truck drivers assessed, 410 were enrolled into the study. The statistical analysis was divided into 2 stages: descriptive analysis of data, and binary logistical regression, where the response (dependent) variable (presence of low back pain) was associated with each independent variable to check for correlation with low back pain.


RESULTS
Of the 410 truck drivers evaluated, 242 (59%) presented with low back pain, while 168 (41%) did not have low back pain. The only factor correlated with the presence of low back pain was the number of working hours; the other factors had no correlation with low back pain.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of low back pain in truck drivers was 59%. The number of working hours was the only variable associated with occurrence of low back pain, with an average of about 1 hour longer work time for drivers with low back pain compared to those without it and with an odds ratio of 1.07 (P = 0.026).
Andrusaitis
Silvia Ferreira
SF
The Spine Group, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Oliveira
Reginaldo Perilo
RP
Barros Filho
Tarcísio Eloy P
TE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001334:Automobile Driving; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012890:Sleep; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload