[Personal and occupational factors associated with low-back pain in a general working population in France]

Low-back pain is a major public health concern because of its socioeconomic burden, especially for chronic forms. The purpose of this study was to analyse the associations between low-back pain and occupational and personal factors, with a special focus on interactions between age and occupational exposures.

The study population comprised a sample of 3958 and 4526 working women and men aged 30 to 59 derived from a national health survey (2002-2003 EDS). Low-back pain was assessed using the French version of the Nordic questionnaire. Weight, height and smoking status were obtained through interview at home. Occupational exposures were self-assessed. The associations between low-back pain for more than 30 days in the previous year and occupational and personal factors were assessed using logistic models. An interaction between age and each occupational exposure was studied.

In the multivariate models, age was the only personal factor significantly associated with low-back pain for both genders. The other personal factors studied were significantly associated with low-back pain for women only. Handling heavy loads and awkward postures at work were strongly associated with low-back pain for both genders (respectively OR=1.80 [1.46-2.23] and OR=1.65 [1.34-2.03] for men, and OR=1.65 [1.32-2.06] and OR=1.28 [1.04-1.59] for women). A high level of psychological demands at work and a low level of decision latitude were also associated with low-back pain for both genders (respectively OR=1.22 [1.03-1.46] and OR=1.32 [1.11-1.57] for men, and OR=1.31 [1.10-1.56] and OR=1.27 [1.06-1.51] for women). Only the interaction between age and awkward postures for men was borderline significant.

This study showed strong associations between occupational exposures and persistent/recurrent low-back pain in a general working population in France. Targeting these exposures in prevention programs could be useful.