Low Back Pain Prevalence: A Survey Analysis of Postgraduate Trainees in Operating Room vs. Non-operating Room Settings
Jidapa Sae-lim, MD1, Kritsana Kientchockwiwat, MD2, Sirikarn Tangcheewinsirikul, MD1
Affiliation : 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand, 2Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a considerable health issue affecting the quality of life and commonly observed among medical professionals.
Objective: Investigate LBP prevalence and its related disabilities and identify factors correlated with the occurrence of LBP in postgraduate trainees.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 133 postgraduate trainees at the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand including 10 departments. The participants were classified into two groups: working in the operating room (OpR) and not working in the operating room (non-OpR). Data were collected through a validated self-administered questionnaire from January– December 2023. Disability was then assessed using the Thai Modified Oswestry LBP Disability (MOD) questionnaire.
Results: Among the 133 participants enrolled in the present study, 115 were included in the final assessment. Females accounted for 52.2% (60) of the participants and were predominant in the non-OpR (36 out of 66, 54.6%). The mean age was 29.2±6.9 years. The 12 month prevalence of LBP was 35.7%, with no difference was observed between the OpR and the non-OpR group (p=0.563). Approximately two thirds (65.2%) reported exercising for a median duration of 1.0 (IQR 0,3) hours/day. Long screen time using phone/computer [odds ratio (OR) 4.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9 to 11.5, p<0.001] and family history of LBP (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 7.9, p=0.019) were the two independent factors correlated with LBP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that family history of LBP was the only factor significantly correlated with LBP. Mild disability assessed by MOD was the most prevalent category 35 (85.4%).
Conclusion: While the prevalence of LBP among postgraduate trainees in Thailand was comparable with that in other studies, there was no LBP difference among the OpR and non-OpR group. Family history of LBP was only a dependent factor for this condition.
Received 16 May 2024 | Revised 28 September 2024 | Accepted 9 October 2024
Keywords : Low back pain; Back pain; Postgraduate trainees; Disability
