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Higher risk for cervical herniated intervertebral disc in physicians: A retrospective nationwide population-based

Cheng Liu1, Chien-Cheng Huang, Chien-Chin Hsu

  • 1Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center and Division of Plastic Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center Department of Electrical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology Department of Emergency Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Bachelor Program of Senior Service, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology Department of Occupational Medicine Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Chi-Mei Medical Center Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital Department of Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Management, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan Department of Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Medicine
|October 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Physicians face a higher risk of cervical herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) compared to the general population. This study found no significant difference between physicians and other healthcare providers, but identified potential risks among certain specialists.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Research
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cervical herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) is a prevalent condition.
  • Limited research exists on HIVD prevalence specifically within the physician population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk of cervical HIVD among physicians.
  • To compare cervical HIVD risk between physicians, non-physician healthcare providers (HCPs), and the general population.
  • To examine potential differences in risk among physician specialists.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study.
  • Utilized data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).
  • Included 26,038 physicians, 33,057 non-physician HCPs, and matched general population controls, followed from 2007-2011.

Main Results:

  • Physicians and non-physician HCPs exhibited significantly higher cervical HIVD risk compared to the general population (OR 1.356 and 1.383, respectively).
  • No statistically significant difference in cervical HIVD risk was observed between physicians and non-physician HCPs.
  • Orthopedists showed a trend towards higher cervical HIVD risk than other specialists, though not statistically significant (aOR 1.547).

Conclusions:

  • Physicians are at an elevated risk for cervical HIVD relative to the general population.
  • Further prospective research is recommended to explore potential causal factors and confounding variables.
  • Understanding occupational risks for HIVD in healthcare professionals is crucial for preventative strategies.

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