Psychological and occupational predictive factors for back pain among employees of a university hospital in southern Spain

Objectives To identify the individual and occupational factors that are pre dictors for low back pain among the employees of a university hospital in s outhern Spain. Methods A transverse study was conducted in which the population used was t he hospital employees who volunteered to participate. The information was o btained by using a questionnaire, which included demographic and anthropome tric variables, habits, characteristics of the work done, and of any pain e xperienced. The mental health condition of subjects was measured using the GHQ-28, using a score of greater than or equal to6 as the cut-oil point. To study the variables associated with pain, crude odds ratios (ORs) were cal culated (+/-95% CI) and adjusted according to a logistic regression model. Results One thousand one hundred and lour subjects participated in the stud y but only 890 of these completed the questionnaire in full (rate of respon se, 35.7% of total employees). The population studied was notable for the h igh proportion of women, for subjects >41 years of age. and subjects who un dertook little or no physical exercise. in addition, according to the GHQ-2 8 test, 29.9% of the total were 'probable psychiatric cases'. The crude ORs were high in all the occupational categories in comparison with the doctor s, with the exception of the maintenance, cleaning, and catering group. The y were also higher among women, among subjects with poor mental health, and among women with one or more children, The adjusted ORs showed that having a GHQ-28 score of greater than or equal to6, and belonging to the auxiliar y technician category. were independent risk factors for suffering low back pain. Being older than 41 years and in temporary employment were protectiv e variables. Conclusions The presence of probable mental illness is the variable most st rongly associated with the presence of low back pain in the population stud ied. Its diagnostic confirmation acid appropriate treatment could contribut e to reducing the prevalence of vertebral pains in this occupational group.