Aim of the study: To assess prevalence
and risk factors of low back pain (LBP)
in emergency room nurses in Krakow.
Materials and methods: The study comprised
30 randomly selected full time
emergency nurses aged 25-58. Their BMI
was calculated and measurements of linear
segmental lumbar spine flexion-extension
motion were performed. The visual
analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess
the subjective LBP degree. The self-estimated
physical disability caused by
LBP was assessed by means of the Roland-
Morris Low Back Pain and Disability
Questionnaire (RMDQ), whereas
physical activity by means of the International
Physical Activity Questionnaire
(IPAQ). The Spearman correlation coefficient
was used to determine a linear association
between variables involved in
the research.
Results: Statistically significant correlations
between BMI, LBP and the level
of disability as well as between the pain
intensity and the time spent in a sitting
position were revealed by RMDQ. Significant
correlations between the self-estimated
LBP and spinal flexion in the
sagittal plane, lateral flexion to the right
in the frontal plane and twist to the right
in the transverse plane were found.
Conclusions: Moderate LBP in emergency
ward nurses, which is commonly observed, slightly decreased their quality of
life. A high level of physical activity and
limited range of flexion were discovered
in the sagittal plane. Due to the existing
correlations between BMI and LBP, between
the degree of disability and the intensity
of pain and the range of motion, it
seems appropriate to include this occupational
group in the back pain prevention
programme.
COnsensus on Pediatric Pain in the Emergency Room: the COPPER project, issued by 17 Italian scientific societies