Case-control Study Of Low-back Pain Referred For Magnetic Resonance Imaging,with Special Focus On Whole-body Vibration

摘要

Objectives This study investigated risk factors for low-back pain among patients referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),with special focus on whole-body vibration.rnMethods A case-control approach was used.The study population comprised working-aged persons from a catchment area for radiology services.The cases were those in a consecutive series referred for a lumbar MRI because of low-back pain.The controls were age- and gender-matched persons X-rayed for other reasons.Altogether,252 cases and 820 controls were studied,including 185 professional drivers.The participants were questioned about physical factors loading the spine,psychosocial factors,driving,personal characteristics,mental health,and certain beliefs about low-back pain.Exposure to whole-body vibration was assessed by six measures,including weekly duration of professional driving,hours driven in one period,and current root mean square A(8).Associations with whole-body vibration were examined with adjustment for age,gender,and other potential confounders.rnResults Strong associations were found with poor mental health and belief in work as a causal factor for low-back pain,and with occupational sitting for ≥3 hours while not driving.Associations were also found for taller stature,consulting propensity,body mass index,smoking history,fear-avoidance beliefs,frequent twisting,low decision latitude,and low support at work.However,the associations with the six metrics of whole-body vibration were weak and not statistically significant,and no exposure-response relationships were found.Conclusions Little evidence of a risk from professional driving or whole-body vibration was found.Drivers were substantially less heavily exposed to whole-body vibration than in some earlier surveys.Nonetheless,it seems that,at the population level,whole-body vibration is not an important cause of low-back pain among those referred for MRI.