[Occupationally-induced degenerative discopathies in the area of the lumbar spine]

A case-control study comprising 188 male and 160 female cases from an orthopedic's cabin explained occupational risk factors for osteochondrosis, spondylosis, and spondylarthrosis of the lumbar vertebra. The controls (109 men, 130 women) steaming mainly from other physician's offices were free from musculoskeletal symptoms. Age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) were calculated for both sexes. In women elevated ORs were found for working in standing position (OR 2.2 CI 1.31-3.85), for repetitive work (OR 1.9 CI 1.17-3.36), for lifting heavy things up to 20 kg (OR 2.1 CI 1.24-3.67), for working as a secretary (OR 1.8 CI 1.16-3.0) or in a supermarket (OR 2.1 CI 1.05-4.56). Men showed elevated ORs for bending (OR 2.2 CI 1.27-4.08), vibrations of the upper limbs (OR 2.3 CI 1.12-5.02), whole-body-vibrations (OR 2.1 CI 1.14-4.11), working in the metal industry (OR 3.6 CI 1.88-6.89) or as motorists for more than ten years (OR 6.5 CI 1.54-27.99) and working in a humid or cold environment (OR 2.2 CI 1.30-3.72).