title: Professional driving and prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging: a         case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether whole-body vibration (WBV) is associated with         prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc (PID) and nerve root entrapment among patients with low-back pain (LBP) undergoing         magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of patients referred for lumbar MRI because of LBP were         compared with controls X-rayed for other reasons. Subjects were questioned about occupational activities loading the         spine, psychosocial factors, driving, personal characteristics, mental health, and certain beliefs about LBP. Exposure         to WBV was assessed by six measures, including weekly duration of professional driving, hours driven at a spell, and         current 8-hour daily equivalent root-mean-square acceleration A(8). Cases were sub-classified according to whether or         not PID/nerve root entrapment was present. Associations with WBV were examined separately for cases with and without         these MRI findings, with adjustment for age, sex, and other potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altogether 237 cases and         820 controls were studied, including 183 professional drivers and 176 cases with PID and/or nerve root entrapment.         Risks associated with WBV tended to be lower for LBP with PID/nerve root entrapment but somewhat higher for risks of         LBP without these abnormalities. However, associations with the six metrics of exposure were all weak and not         statistically significant. Neither exposure-response relationships nor increased risk of PID/nerve root         entrapment from professional driving or exposure at an A(8) above the European Union daily exposure action level were         found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WBV may be a cause of LBP but it was not associated with PID or nerve root entrapment in this         study.
authors.affiliation: MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. ktp@mrc.soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Keith T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ntani
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shambrook
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McNee
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: E Clare
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coggon
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016273:Occupational Exposure