Associations between lower back pain and job types in South Korean male firefighters

Abstract

This study aimed to compare prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) in firefighters according to job type and to identify the risk factors for LBP. A random sample of 297 male firefighters and 77 hospital office workers completed questionnaires and underwent lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging. Prevalence of LBP in firefighters (85.1%) was higher than in controls (54.5%). Odds ratio (OR) of LBP in severe insomnia (3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.17, 12.06]) was statistically higher than for LBP without insomnia. OR of LBP in herniated lumbar disc 4-5 (1.86, 95% CI [1.03, 3.35]) was statistically higher than for LBP without lumbar disc herniation. ORs of LBP in emergency medical service (2.57, 95% CI [1.20, 5.58]) and rescue (3.69, 95% CI [1.37, 9.94]) workers were statistically higher than in controls. LBP is more prevalent in firefighters than in controls and affected by insomnia, lumbar disc herniation and job type.

Keywords: firefighters; lower back pain.