title: Does rare use of assistive devices during patient handling increase the risk of low back pain? A prospective cohort study among female healthcare workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether rare use of assistive devices during patient handling increases the respective risk for infrequent and frequent low back pain (LBP) among female healthcare workers reporting to be free of LBP at baseline.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female healthcare workers replied to questionnaires about use of assistive devices during patient handling activities (rarely, occasionally and often) and LBP in both 2005 and 2006. Among those reporting to be free of LBP (0 days the past 12 months) in 2005 (n = 1,478), the multi-adjusted odds ratio for developing infrequent LBP (1-30 days the past 12 months) and frequent LBP (>30 days the past 12 months) in 2006 depending on use of assistive devices was prospectively investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multi-adjusted odds ratio for developing infrequent LBP was 1.21 (95 % CI 0.90-1.62) for those occasionally using assistive devices, and 1.78 (95 % CI 1.19-2.66) for those rarely using assistive devices, referencing healthcare workers often using assistive devices during patient handling (p < 0.01 for trend). No associations between use of assistive devices during patient handling and risk of frequent LBP were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicates that rare use of assistive devices can increase the risk for developing infrequent LBP in female healthcare workers reporting to be free from LBP at baseline.
authors: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark, aho@nrcwe.dk.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Holtermann
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Clausen
authors: Marie Birk
authors: MB
authors: Jørgensen
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Aust
authors: Ole Steen
authors: OS
authors: Mortensen
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Burdorf
authors: Nils
authors: N
authors: Fallentin
authors: Lars L
authors: LL
authors: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires