Cross-cultural adaptation of the delphi definitions of low back pain prevalence (German DOLBaPP)

Background Assessed dimensions of low back pain (LBP) vary in prevalence studies. This may explain the heterogeneity in frequency estimates. To standardize definitions of LBP, an English consensus with 28 experts from 12 countries developed the “Delphi Definitions of Low Back Pain Prevalence” (DOLBaPP). The optimal definition and the shorter minimal definition with the related questionnaires for online, paper, and face-to-face use and telephone surveys are suitable for population-based studies. The definitions have to be adapted to different languages and cultures to provide comparable frequency estimates. The objective was to culturally adapt and pre-test the English definitions and corresponding Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire forms into German. Methods The German DOLBaPP adaptation was conducted using the systematic approach suggested by Beaton et al. A pre-test of the Delphi DOLBaPP optimal paper questionnaire including an additional evaluation form was conducted in a sample of 121 employees (mainly office workers). In order to evaluate the comprehensibility, usability, applicability, and completeness of the adapted questionnaire, response to the questionnaire and 6 closed evaluation questions were analyzed descriptively. Qualitative methods were used for the 3 open questions of the evaluation form. Results The cultural adaptation of the DOLBaPP for a German-speaking audience required little linguistic adaptation. Conceptual equivalence was difficult for the expression “low back pain”. The expert committee considered the face validity of the pre-final version of the related Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaires as good. In the pre-test, most participants (95%) needed less than 5 minutes to fill in the optimal Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire. They were generally positive regarding length, wording, diagram, and composition. All subjects with LBP (n = 61 out of 121 – 50.4%) answered the questions on functional limitation, sciatic pain, frequency and duration of symptoms as well as pain severity. Conclusion The results indicate that the cross-cultural German adaptation of the DOLBaPP Definitions and the corresponding questionnaires was successful. The definitions can be used in epidemiological studies to measure the prevalence of LBP. Some critical issues were raised regarding the general features of the Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaires. Future research is needed to evaluate these instruments

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities and the neck: A cross-sectional study on prevalence and symptom-predicting factors at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the predictors of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremities and neck at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a cross-sectional study 1,065 employees working at VDT > 1 h/d completed a standardised questionnaire. Workstation conditions were documented in a standardised checklist, and a subgroup of 82 employees underwent a physical examination.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using the Nordic Questionnaire, the 12-month prevalence of symptoms of the neck, shoulder region, hand/wrist, or elbow/lower arm was 55%, 38%, 21%, and 15% respectively. The duration of VDT work had a significant impact on the frequency of neck symptoms in employees performing such work > 6 h/d.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>With regard to musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities, preventive measures at VDT workstations should be focused on neck and shoulder symptoms (e.g. ergonomic measures, breaks to avoid sitting over long periods).</p

The Influence of Working Heights and Weights of Milking Units on the Body Posture of Female Milking Parlour Operatives

Workers in modern German milking parlours – especially women – were found to be overrepresented in those suffering from musculoskeletal disorders [MSD]. The number of cases was compared to the whole employed population. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the effects of workstation geometry on female milking parlour operatives. Motion analysis in combination with Electromyography [EMG] data recording was applied to evaluate three different working heights and two weights of milking units. Results showed that especially the weight of the milking unit strongly influenced the workload. The optimal working height for attaching the cluster was found to have the teat ends at shoulder level of the parlour operative

Association between working in awkward postures, in particular overhead work, and pain in the shoulder region in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey

Background!#!Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of work-related sick leave and incur substantial socioeconomic costs. With the aging of our society and employees, the problem is exacerbating, and prevention is becoming increasingly important. According to previous studies, exposure to awkward postures, such as overhead work, is associated with musculoskeletal problems.!##!Objective!#!This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of employees who work in awkward postures, specifically overhead, stratified by age, gender and occupation in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey and to analyze associations between awkward working postures, in particular overhead work, and pain in the shoulder region.!##!Method!#!The study is based on secondary data from the German 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey. We have included 14,327 of the 20,012 employees aged &amp;lt; 67 years who work at least 35 h per week who took part in the survey. The classification of participants in occupational groups is based on the BLOSSFELD classification. The multivariate analysis was conducted by applying robust Poisson regression models adjusted block by block to obtain the relation between the self-reported frequency of working in awkward postures, in particular overhead work, and the occurrence of arm pain and neck and shoulder pain. Prevalence ratios (PR) are reported as effect estimates.!##!Results!#!12.7% of participants indicated that they are often exposed to awkward postures at work; 5.0% stated they often performed overhead work. The majority of these employees worked in agricultural, unskilled and skilled manual occupations. The crude prevalence is 17.4% for arm pain and 48.4% for neck and shoulder pain. If subjects reported that they often performed overhead work, the risk of arm pain increased by 18% (PR 1.18, CI 1.04-1.34, final model).!##!Conclusion!#!Working in awkward postures, especially overhead work, is a risk factor for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. The development of prevention strategies should focus on the workforce in agricultural, unskilled and skilled manual occupations

The association between manual handling operations and pain in the hands and arms in the context of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey

Background!#!Manual handling operations (MHO) are tasks performed by hand that require repetitive and forceful hand and arm movements. MHO are currently performed in many workplaces in skilled and unskilled jobs in the production and service sectors. MHO are considered as work-related health risk factors. The relationship between MHO and the occurrence of disorders of the upper extremities has been established. MHO can cause diseases such as tenosynovitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. This study aims to assess the current prevalence of MHO in the German workforce and to evaluate the relationship between MHO and the occurrence of hand and arm complaints.!##!Methods!#!The analysis was based on the German 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey. For this analysis we included subjects aged between 16 and 66 who work at least 35 h per week. The self-reported frequency of MHO (never; rarely; sometimes; often) was considered as the exposure of interest and was stratified by gender and occupation. Prevalence ratios (PR) were used to report the relationship between MHO and self-reported pain in the hands and arms (robust log-linear Poisson regression). Adjustments were made for age, gender, actual weekly working hours, psychosocial workload, and other physical workloads. The regression analyses considered complete cases.!##!Results!#!The analyses included 14,299 employees. Frequent MHO were reported by 32.6% of men and 31.1% of women. These workloads were often reported by respondents who work in the agricultural sector (men: 70.1%; women: 79.0%), in unskilled (men: 59.4%; women: 66.9%), and skilled manual occupations (men: 72.7%; women: 66.7%). A higher frequency of self-reported MHO was associated with a higher prevalence of hand complaints (PR 2.26 CI 2.00-2.55 'often' vs. 'never' = ref.) as well as arm pain (PR 1.73 CI 1.55-1.92 for 'often' vs. 'never' = ref.).!##!Conclusion!#!MHO are still frequent in many occupations. The shown association between MHO and pain in the hands and arms demonstrates the importance of MHO in the current German workforce and the necessity to further develop prevention strategies

Manual handling of heavy loads and low back pain among different occupational groups: results of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA employment survey

Background!#!In Germany and other European countries, many occupations still involve manual handling of loads (MHL), an activity that puts the musculoskeletal system at risk of low back pain (LBP). This study aims to describe the current prevalence of MHL in different occupational groups stratified by gender in Germany, the association between MHL and LBP and the adjusted prevalence of LBP in different respond-categories of MHL.!##!Methods!#!Data was collected in telephone interviews conducted as part of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey, which covers work-related topics like working conditions, education, health status and job satisfaction. The analyses were limited to full-time workers (&amp;gt; 35 h/week) aged between 15 and 67. The frequency of MHL was analysed descriptively. BLOSSFELD classification was used to group the participants in occupational categories. The analysis of the association between MHL and the prevalence of LBP over the last 12 months was based on robust log-linear Poisson regression that results in prevalence ratios (PR). The main regression model was adjusted for gender, age, working hours, and working conditions. Adjusted estimates for the prevalence of LBP were calculated based on regression analysis.!##!Results!#!The sample consists of n = 14,331 participants (men: n = 8828, 61.6%; women: n = 5503, 38.4%; median age 49 years). Of these, 52.8% say they were exposed to MHL at work. MHL is most common in agricultural occupations, skilled and unskilled occupations. In the regression model, participants who said they were 'often' exposed to MHL reported more frequently LBP than those participants who said they were 'never' exposed to MHL. The PR as estimate for the association is 1.41 (95%CI [1.32; 1.49]). Postestimation of the prevalence of LBP began with 47.3% (95%CI [43.8%; 51.1%]) for participants who said they were 'never' exposed to MHL and rose to 66.5% (95%CI [62.4%; 71.0%]) for participants who indicated they were 'often' exposed to MHL.!##!Conclusions!#!The 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey emphasizes that MHL is still common in the German workforce and shows a significant association to LBP. Prevention policies for avoiding MHL remain vital

Verwendung des Nordischen Fragebogens zu Muskel-Skelett-Beschwerden

&lt;jats:title&gt;Zusammenfassung&lt;/jats:title&gt;&lt;jats:sec&gt; &lt;jats:title&gt;Hintergrund&lt;/jats:title&gt; &lt;jats:p&gt;Die Prävalenzerhebung von Muskel-Skelett-Beschwerden im betrieblichen Kontext basiert oft auf dem Nordischen Fragebogen (NMQ) von Kuorinka et al. (1987). Derzeit existiert keine einheitliche deutschsprachige, validierte Übersetzung, zudem weist die Originalversion Unstimmigkeiten auf. Vor dem Hintergrund, dass entsprechend der Verordnung zur arbeitsmedizinischen Vorsorge (ArbMedVV) bei Belastungen des Muskel-Skelett-Systems arbeitsmedizinische Vorsorge angeboten werden muss, besteht Bedarf, eine deutsche Version des NMQ zu erarbeiten und zu validieren.&lt;/jats:p&gt; &lt;/jats:sec&gt;&lt;jats:sec&gt; &lt;jats:title&gt;Ziel&lt;/jats:title&gt; &lt;jats:p&gt;Anliegen der Arbeit ist die Analyse des Ist-Zustands, wie der NMQ in internationalen Studien derzeit eingesetzt wird. Anforderungen für eine deutschsprachige Version des NMQ sind daraus abzuleiten.&lt;/jats:p&gt; &lt;/jats:sec&gt;&lt;jats:sec&gt; &lt;jats:title&gt;Material und Methoden&lt;/jats:title&gt; &lt;jats:p&gt;Durchgeführt wurde ein narratives Review. Recherchiert wurde in der Datenbank PubMed nach Studien, in denen der NMQ zur Erhebung der Prävalenz von Muskel-Skelett-Beschwerden bei Personen im erwerbsfähigen Alter eingesetzt wurde. Die Ergebniszusammenfassung ist deskriptiv.&lt;/jats:p&gt; &lt;/jats:sec&gt;&lt;jats:sec&gt; &lt;jats:title&gt;Ergebnisse&lt;/jats:title&gt; &lt;jats:p&gt;Es wurden 132 Publikationen identifiziert. Mehrheitlich wurde eine modifizierte Version des NMQ verwendet. Am häufigsten wurde die 12-Monats- und 7‑Tages-Prävalenz erhoben. Die Beschwerdeprävalenz von Schulter‑, Ellenbogen- und Handgelenken sowie des Nackens und unteren Rückens wurde am häufigsten erfragt. Modifikationen erfolgten insbesondere hinsichtlich der Abfragelogik sowie bei den zu untersuchenden Körperregionen.&lt;/jats:p&gt; &lt;/jats:sec&gt;&lt;jats:sec&gt; &lt;jats:title&gt;Diskussion&lt;/jats:title&gt; &lt;jats:p&gt;Der NMQ ist ein international vielgenutztes Instrument, das mehrheitlich an die jeweiligen Erfordernisse des Untersuchungskontextes angepasst wird. Eine Neuformulierung des NMQ sollte kurz und modular sein, eine einfache Abfragelogik enthalten und sowohl in betriebsepidemiologischen Studien als auch in der arbeitsmedizinischen Vorsorge anwendbar sein.&lt;/jats:p&gt; &lt;/jats:sec&gt