Low Back Pain in Commercial Airline Pilots

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (12) ◽  
pp. 940-947
Author(s):  
Matthias Albermann ◽  
Maria Lehmann ◽  
Christian Eiche ◽  
Joachim Schmidt ◽  
Johannes Prottengeier
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
German Population ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Airline Pilots ◽  
Acute Low Back Pain ◽  
Commercial Airline ◽  
Negative Effect

BACKGROUND: In their working life, airline pilots are exposed to particular risk factors that promote nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Because of the varying incidence internationally, we evaluated the point prevalences of acute, subacute, and chronic nonspecific LBP, as well as the current prevalences in German airline pilots. Furthermore, we compared the prevalence to the general German population and to European counterparts.METHODS: An anonymous online survey of 698 participating German airline pilots was evaluated. The impairment between groups was analyzed. Prevalences from our data were compared to existing data.RESULTS: The following point prevalences were found: 8.2% acute, 2.4% subacute, 82.7% chronic LBP; 74.1% of all individuals were suffering from current LBP when answered the questionnaire. A total time spent flying greater than 600 h within the last 12 mo was significantly related to acute nonspecific LBP. Individuals with any type of LBP were significantly impaired compared to those unaffected. It was found that German airline pilots suffer more often from current LBP than the general population and have a higher point prevalence of total LBP than their European counterparts.CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation showed a surprisingly high, previously unidentified, prevalence of nonspecific LBP in German airline pilots. Why German airline pilots suffer more often from LBP remains uncertain. The number of flying hours appears to have a negative effect on developing acute low back pain, but causation cannot be concluded. Other risk factors could not be confirmed.Albermann M, Lehmann M, Eiche C, Schmidt J, Prottengeier J. Low back pain in commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12):940947.

scholarly journals Incidence and Risk Factors for Acute Low Back Pain in Active Duty Infantry

2012 ◽  
Vol 177 (11) ◽  
pp. 1348-1351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Ernat ◽  
Jeffrey Knox ◽  
Joseph Orchowski ◽  
Brett Owens
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Acute Low Back Pain

Prevalence of and Biopsychosocial Factors Associated with Low Back Pain in Commercial Airline Pilots

2011 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 879-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaruchon Prombumroong ◽  
Prawit Janwantanakul ◽  
Praneet Pensri
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Airline Pilots ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Commercial Airline

scholarly journals P268 Physiotherapists' awareness, knowledge and confidence in screening and referral of suspected axSpA: a survey of UK clinical practice

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza Steen ◽  
Melinda Cairns ◽  
Carol McCrum
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Diagnostic Delay ◽  
Special Interest Groups ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Nice Guidance

Abstract Background Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory disease underlying around 5% of back pain presentations. It is essential that physiotherapists screen for possible axSpA and know when to refer to rheumatology. In the UK, diagnostic delays of 5-8.5 years are common. Challenges with differentiating axSpA from non-specific low back pain and poor awareness of features of axSpA that should prompt rheumatology referral may be contributing factors. Early intervention is important and NICE guidance on back pain and sciatica (2016), spondyloarthritis (2017) and the National Back and Radicular Pain Pathway (2017) aim to support better screening and earlier diagnosis. This study aimed to explore physiotherapistś awareness, knowledge and confidence in screening for and recognising signs, symptoms and risk factors of suspected axSpA and criteria for rheumatology referral. Methods An online survey of UK musculoskeletal physiotherapists was undertaken combining a multi-vignette design (axSpA, non-specific low back pain and radiculopathy) and questioning on awareness, knowledge and confidence in screening for axSpA. Distribution included online professional networks, special interest groups, social media and snowballing. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and conceptual content analysis for free text responses. Results One hundred and thirty-two surveys were analysed. Vignette analysis found only 67% of respondents (n=88/132) indicated inflammatory pathologies as a possible cause of persistent back pain. Only 60% (79/132) of respondents identified the vignette with features suspicious of axSpA compared to the vignettes of non-specific low back pain (94%) and radiculopathy (80%). Most respondents (92%, n=73/79) who correctly identified the axSpA vignette appropriately indicated referral to rheumatology. Demonstrating a ‘full awareness’ or ‘good awareness’ of NICE guidance (2017) referral criteria for axSpA was only evident within 50% of ‘clinical reasoning’ responses, and only within 20% of responses describing their approach to ‘further subjective screening’. Importance of features raising suspicion of axSpA was rated highest for family history of inflammatory arthritis (median=9/10) and least for male gender (median=5/10). Considerable importance was given to CRP, ESR and HLAB27 positivity (median=8/10). Despite expressing confidence (≥7/10) in recognising features of possible axSpA, a significant number failed to identify the axSpA vignette. Better awareness and knowledge of axSpA was associated with greater familiarity with the NICE guidance on spondyloarthritis and previous education on SpA. Conclusion The study suggests that physiotherapists may not be giving adequate consideration to possible axSpA in the differential diagnosis of persistent low back pain. Although certain features of SpA were better recognised, a significant lack of awareness and knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors for suspected axSpA was found. Awareness of criteria for referral to rheumatology was also limited. The consequences for diagnostic delay are significant and indicate the need for professional education and applying guidance to improve screening and earlier recognition. Disclosures E. Steen None. M. Cairns None. C. McCrum Honoraria; Novartis.

Acute low back pain: Diagnostics and treatment

2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith Coleman Becker
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Acute Low Back Pain
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