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Occupational factors associated with low back pain in urban taxi drivers.
Occup Med (Lond). 2005 Oct; 55(7):535-40.OM

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Urban taxi drivers differ from other professional drivers in their exposures to physical and psychosocial hazards in the work environment. Epidemiological data on low back pain (LBP) of this occupational group are very scarce.

AIMS

To examine LBP in taxi drivers and its association with prolonged driving and other occupational factors.

METHODS

We analyzed the cross-sectional data from the Taxi Drivers' Health Study. Standardized instruments were used to collect information on personal factors, work-related physical and psychosocial factors and driving time profiles. LBP prevalence was assessed using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models were employed for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Of 1242 drivers, 51% reported LBP in the past 12 months, significantly (P < 0.001) higher than other professional drivers (33%) in Taiwan. After adjusting for the effects of demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, anthropometric measures and socioeconomic positions, we found that driving time >4 h/day [prevalence odds ratio (POR) 1.78; 95% CI 1.02-3.10], frequent bending/twisting activities while driving (adjusted OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.15-2.99), self-perceived job stress (POR 1.75; 95% CI 1.20-2.55), job dissatisfaction (POR 1.44; 95% CI 1.05-1.98) and registration type were the major occupational factors significantly associated with higher LBP prevalence in taxi drivers.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified that long driving time and several physical and psychosocial factors are associated with high prevalence of LBP in taxi drivers. This should be further investigated in prospective studies. Future studies are needed to examine the potential adverse effects of prolonged exposure to low levels of whole-body vibration.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Chen JC
Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Chang WR
No affiliation info available
Chang W
No affiliation info available
Christiani D
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdultAutomobile DrivingCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth SurveysHumansIncidenceLow Back PainMaleMiddle AgedMuscle FatigueOccupational DiseasesPrevalenceStress, PsychologicalTaiwanTime FactorsVibration

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16141293

Citation

Chen, Jiu-Chiuan, et al. "Occupational Factors Associated With Low Back Pain in Urban Taxi Drivers." Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England), vol. 55, no. 7, 2005, pp. 535-40.
Chen JC, Chang WR, Chang W, et al. Occupational factors associated with low back pain in urban taxi drivers. Occup Med (Lond). 2005;55(7):535-40.
Chen, J. C., Chang, W. R., Chang, W., & Christiani, D. (2005). Occupational factors associated with low back pain in urban taxi drivers. Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England), 55(7), 535-40.
Chen JC, et al. Occupational Factors Associated With Low Back Pain in Urban Taxi Drivers. Occup Med (Lond). 2005;55(7):535-40. PubMed PMID: 16141293.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Occupational factors associated with low back pain in urban taxi drivers. AU - Chen,Jiu-Chiuan, AU - Chang,Wen-Ruey, AU - Chang,Wushou, AU - Christiani,David, Y1 - 2005/09/01/ PY - 2005/9/6/pubmed PY - 2006/4/14/medline PY - 2005/9/6/entrez SP - 535 EP - 40 JF - Occupational medicine (Oxford, England) JO - Occup Med (Lond) VL - 55 IS - 7 N2 - BACKGROUND: Urban taxi drivers differ from other professional drivers in their exposures to physical and psychosocial hazards in the work environment. Epidemiological data on low back pain (LBP) of this occupational group are very scarce. AIMS: To examine LBP in taxi drivers and its association with prolonged driving and other occupational factors. METHODS: We analyzed the cross-sectional data from the Taxi Drivers' Health Study. Standardized instruments were used to collect information on personal factors, work-related physical and psychosocial factors and driving time profiles. LBP prevalence was assessed using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models were employed for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of 1242 drivers, 51% reported LBP in the past 12 months, significantly (P < 0.001) higher than other professional drivers (33%) in Taiwan. After adjusting for the effects of demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, anthropometric measures and socioeconomic positions, we found that driving time >4 h/day [prevalence odds ratio (POR) 1.78; 95% CI 1.02-3.10], frequent bending/twisting activities while driving (adjusted OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.15-2.99), self-perceived job stress (POR 1.75; 95% CI 1.20-2.55), job dissatisfaction (POR 1.44; 95% CI 1.05-1.98) and registration type were the major occupational factors significantly associated with higher LBP prevalence in taxi drivers. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified that long driving time and several physical and psychosocial factors are associated with high prevalence of LBP in taxi drivers. This should be further investigated in prospective studies. Future studies are needed to examine the potential adverse effects of prolonged exposure to low levels of whole-body vibration. SN - 0962-7480 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/16141293/Occupational_factors_associated_with_low_back_pain_in_urban_taxi_drivers_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -