Low back pain among office workers in three Spanish-speaking countries: Findings from the CUPID study

Artículo científicoObjectives—To assess differences in the prevalence and incidence of low back pain (LBP) and associated disability among office workers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. Methods—Data were collected at baseline (n=947, 93% response) in November 2007 and at follow-up after 12 months (n=853, 90% response). Six outcome measures were examined: baseline prevalence of (1) LBP in past 12 months, (2) LBP in past month, and (3) disabling LBP in past month; and at follow-up: (4) incidence of new LBP in the past month, (5) new disabling LBP, and (6) persistent LBP. Differences in prevalence by country were characterized by odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), before and after adjustment for covariates. Results—Prevalence of LBP in the past month among office employees in Costa Rica (46.0%) and Nicaragua (44.2%) was higher than in Spain (33.6%). Incidence of new LBP was 37.0% in Nicaragua (OR=2.49; 95% CI: 1.57-3.95), 14.9% in Costa Rica (OR=0.74; 95% CI: 0.41-1.34), and 19.0% in Spain (reference). Incidence of new disabling LBP was higher in Nicaragua, 17.2%(OR=2.49; 95% CI: 1.43-4.34) and Costa Rica, 13.6% (OR=1.89; 95% CI: 1.03-3.48) than Spain (7.7%), while persistence of LBP was higher only in Nicaragua. Conclusions—Prevalence of LBP and disabling LBP was higher in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan office workers than in Spain, but incidence was higher mainly in Nicaragua. Measured sociodemographic, job-related and health-related variables only partly explained the differences between countries, and further research is needed to explore reasons for the remaining differences

Estudio de la incidencia de síntomas de Desórdenes Músculo-Esqueléticos en secretarias del Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, recomendaciones para el desarrollo e implementación de un plan de prevención

Proyecto de Investigación. Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Ingeniería en Seguridad Laboral e Higiene Ambiental, 2008En la actualidad son muchas las personas que trabajan en una oficina utilizando una computadora, durante mucho tiempo se ha pensado que este tipo de trabajo no requiere mayor esfuerzo físico, ni que trabajar durante ocho horas en frente de una computadora pueda ocasionar lesiones serias. Estudios han revelado que el trabajo con computadoras ha incidido en un incremento en la aparición de dolencias y lesiones por desórdenes músculo-esqueléticos. Las secretarias, al trabajar la mayor parte de su jornada de trabajo con computadoras están identificadas como una población en riesgo a desarrollar este tipo de lesiones. El presente estudio identifica las dolencias músculo-esqueléticas que presentan las secretarias de la sede central del ITCR. Para recopilar la información se diseñó un “Cuestionario para determinar información sobre Secretarias del ITCR”. Este cuestionario consta de 4 secciones, una sección que incluye información personal de las secretarias, otra sección donde se recopila información referente al historial de trabajo, otra sección donde se pregunta sobre el historial de salud y la última sección incluye un diagrama del cuerpo humano donde se solicita que marque las partes del cuerpo donde siente dolor y con qué frecuencia, qué tan intenso ha sido el dolor y si ha interferido con su trabajo. La información recopilada con el cuestionario se codificó, digitó y se analizó utilizando el paquete estadístico SPSS. Con respecto a la prevalencia de dolor o molestia que presentan las secretarias, se encontró que durante la última semana de trabajo, solamente 4 secretarias (5.9%) no presentaban ningún dolor. Las 64 secretarias restantes (94.1%) presentaban algún tipo de dolor; las partes del cuerpo donde presentan más dolor o molestias son la espalda baja (64.7%), el cuello (63.2%), la espalda alta (58.8%), el hombro izquierdo (44.1%), hombro derecho (45.6), la mano/muñeca derecha (32.4%) y la mano/muñeca izquierda (27.9%). Al realizar un análisis estadístico de la relación entre variables, se encontró que no existía relación entre el dolor y la edad de las secretarias, entre el dolor y la cantidad de horas de uso de computadoras. Tampoco se encontró correlación entre los años de trabajar como secretaria y el dolor en las partes del cuerpo analizadas. Es importante observar que los porcentajes de frecuencia de dolor o molestia de las personas que sienten dolor una vez al día o varias veces al día son altos, lo cual indica que las secretarias podrían verse afectadas en su calidad de vida y la productividad de su trabajo. Los resultados muestran la necesidad e importancia de incluir la ergonomía en el diseño de las estaciones de trabajo, también en limitar el número de horas de trabajo ininterrumpidas haciendo uso del teclado. La mayoría de las dolencias/molestias pueden ser remediadas aplicando los principios de la ergonomía en el diseño de las estaciones y el ambiente de trabajo, realizando descansos frecuentes y usando buenas prácticas de trabajo. Se recomienda que se desarrolle e implemente un plan de prevención enfocado en cuatro áreas básicas. La primera área debe ser entrenamiento en ergonomía en la oficina, la segunda, realizar evaluaciones ergonómicas de cada estación de trabajo, la tercera realizar las mejoras a las estaciones de trabajo identificadas en las evaluaciones de la etapa anterior y por último, el establecimiento de estándares de compra de mobiliario para que sea utilizado por todas las personas que compren mobiliario en el ITCR y así prevenir problemas futuros con mobiliario inadecuado

Predictors of musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers in Costa Rica based on the CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences in Disability) study and comparison with other Spanish-speaking countries

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and incidence of upper extremity (UE) and low back musculoskeletal pain (LBP) in two lower and middle-income Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., Costa Rica and Nicaragua) and Spain, a high income economy, and examine if the differences between countries are explained by physical, organizational, psychosocial and/or individual factors. Methods: A secondary analysis of office worker data collected as part of the multinational CUPID study in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain, between 2007 and 2011. A total of 1020 subjects participated at baseline (96.4% of those approached) and 90.2 % at follow-up. Six outcome measures were created for each anatomical region, three on baseline prevalence: (1) pain in last 12 months, (2) pain in past month, (3) disabling pain; and three on incidence at follow-up: (4) pain in past month, (5) disabling pain, (6) persistence of pain. After stepwise selection of covariables (i.e., sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, physical demands, health beliefs, somatizing tendency, and mental health), multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association between country and each of these outcomes. Results: Prevalence and disabling UE pain were approximately 2-fold higher in Costa Rica and Nicaragua than in Spain. Incidence of UE was also between 2 and 3-fold higher. Prevalence and disabling LBP were higher in Costa Rica and Nicaragua than in Spain and the incidence was mostly higher in Nicaragua, as compared to Spain. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal pain was common in all three countries, with higher prevalence and incidence in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Contrary to previous studies, our study shows that developing (low and middle income) economies might have higher prevalence and, in some instances, incidence of UE/LB pain as compared to Western or high-income economies (Spain). Differences among the three countries were only partially explained by the risk factors analyzed, possibly due to unmeasured factors such as ergonomic conditions, personal activities (hobbies, sports, home responsibilities, etc.), previous work exposure (work history), and/or compensation and public benefits systems

Upper extremity musculoskeletal pain among office workers in three Spanish-speaking countries: findings from the CUPID study

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of upper extremity musculoskeletal pain (UEMP) and related disability among office workers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. METHODS: Data from the multinational Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID) study on 947 (93%) participants at baseline with 90% follow-up after 12 months were employed. Logistic regression was used to estimate the associations (ORs and corresponding 95% CIs) between country and six outcomes: baseline prevalence of (1) UEMP in past 12 months, (2) UEMP in past month and (3) disabling UEMP in past month; (4) incidence of new UEMP at follow-up; (5) incidence of new disabling UEMP at follow-up and (6) persistence of UEMP at follow-up, after adjustment for sociodemographic, job-related and health-related covariates. RESULTS: Baseline prevalence of UEMP in the past month was higher in Costa Rica (53.6%) (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.62) and Nicaragua (51.9%) (OR=1.74; 95% CI 1.28 to 2.35) than in Spain (38.4%). Compared to Spain (33.2%), the incidence of new UEMP was 50.4% in Costa Rica (OR=2.04; 95% CI 1.34 to 3.12) and 60.2% in Nicaragua (OR=3.04; 95% CI 2.06 to 4.50). The incidence of disabling UEMP was higher in Nicaragua (OR=2.57; 95% CI 1.50 to 4.41) and Costa Rica (OR=2.16; 95% CI 1.22 to 3.84) when compared to Spain. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of UEMP was approximately twofold higher and its incidence twofold to threefold higher in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as compared with Spain. Between-country differences were only partially explained by the covariates analysed. Research is needed to explore other aspects of work and cultural attributes that might explain the residual differences in UEMP.Funding for this research was supported by Grant No. 5T42OH008421 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH), a NIOSH Education and Research Center, Fogarty grant No. 5D43TW000644-13 and Colt Foundation CF/03/0

Low back pain among office workers in three Spanish-speaking countries: findings from the CUPID study

OBJECTIVES: To assess the differences in the prevalence and incidence of low back pain (LBP) and associated disability among office workers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. METHODS: Data were collected at baseline (n=947, 93% response) in November 2007 and at follow-up after 12 months (n=853, 90% response). Six outcome measures were examined: baseline prevalence of (1) LBP in the past 12 months, (2) LBP in the past month and (3) disabling LBP in the past month; and at follow-up: (4) incidence of new LBP in the past month, (5) new disabling LBP and (6) persistent LBP. Differences in prevalence by country were characterised by ORs with 95% CIs, before and after adjustment for covariates. RESULTS: Prevalence of LBP in the past month among office employees in Costa Rica (46.0%) and Nicaragua (44.2%) was higher than in Spain (33.6%). Incidence of new LBP was 37.0% in Nicaragua (OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.57 to 3.95), 14.9% in Costa Rica (OR=0.74; 95% CI 0.41 to 1.34) and 19.0% in Spain (reference). Incidence of new disabling LBP was higher in Nicaragua (17.2%; OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.43 to 4.34) and Costa Rica (13.6%; OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.48) than Spain (7.7%), while persistence of LBP was higher only in Nicaragua. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of LBP and disabling LBP was higher in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan office workers than in Spain, but the incidence was higher mainly in Nicaragua. Measured sociodemographic, job-related and health-related variables only partly explained the differences between countries, and further research is needed to explore reasons for the remaining differences.Funding for this research was provided by Grant No. 5T42OH008421 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH), a NIOSH Education and Research Center, Fogarty grant No. 5D43TW000644-13 and the Colt Foundation CF/03/0

Low back pain among office workers in three Spanish-speaking countries: findings from the CUPID study

OBJECTIVES: To assess the differences in the prevalence and incidence of low back pain (LBP) and associated disability among office workers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. METHODS: Data were collected at baseline (n=947, 93% response) in November 2007 and at follow-up after 12 months (n=853, 90% response). Six outcome measures were examined: baseline prevalence of (1) LBP in the past 12 months, (2) LBP in the past month and (3) disabling LBP in the past month; and at follow-up: (4) incidence of new LBP in the past month, (5) new disabling LBP and (6) persistent LBP. Differences in prevalence by country were characterised by ORs with 95% CIs, before and after adjustment for covariates. RESULTS: Prevalence of LBP in the past month among office employees in Costa Rica (46.0%) and Nicaragua (44.2%) was higher than in Spain (33.6%). Incidence of new LBP was 37.0% in Nicaragua (OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.57 to 3.95), 14.9% in Costa Rica (OR=0.74; 95% CI 0.41 to 1.34) and 19.0% in Spain (reference). Incidence of new disabling LBP was higher in Nicaragua (17.2%; OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.43 to 4.34) and Costa Rica (13.6%; OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.48) than Spain (7.7%), while persistence of LBP was higher only in Nicaragua. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of LBP and disabling LBP was higher in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan office workers than in Spain, but the incidence was higher mainly in Nicaragua. Measured sociodemographic, job-related and health-related variables only partly explained the differences between countries, and further research is needed to explore reasons for the remaining differences.Funding for this research was provided by Grant No. 5T42OH008421 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH), a NIOSH Education and Research Center, Fogarty grant No. 5D43TW000644-13 and the Colt Foundation CF/03/0

Upper extremity musculoskeletal pain among office workers in three Spanish-speaking countries: findings from the CUPID study

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of upper extremity musculoskeletal pain (UEMP) and related disability among office workers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. METHODS: Data from the multinational Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID) study on 947 (93%) participants at baseline with 90% follow-up after 12 months were employed. Logistic regression was used to estimate the associations (ORs and corresponding 95% CIs) between country and six outcomes: baseline prevalence of (1) UEMP in past 12 months, (2) UEMP in past month and (3) disabling UEMP in past month; (4) incidence of new UEMP at follow-up; (5) incidence of new disabling UEMP at follow-up and (6) persistence of UEMP at follow-up, after adjustment for sociodemographic, job-related and health-related covariates. RESULTS: Baseline prevalence of UEMP in the past month was higher in Costa Rica (53.6%) (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.62) and Nicaragua (51.9%) (OR=1.74; 95% CI 1.28 to 2.35) than in Spain (38.4%). Compared to Spain (33.2%), the incidence of new UEMP was 50.4% in Costa Rica (OR=2.04; 95% CI 1.34 to 3.12) and 60.2% in Nicaragua (OR=3.04; 95% CI 2.06 to 4.50). The incidence of disabling UEMP was higher in Nicaragua (OR=2.57; 95% CI 1.50 to 4.41) and Costa Rica (OR=2.16; 95% CI 1.22 to 3.84) when compared to Spain. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of UEMP was approximately twofold higher and its incidence twofold to threefold higher in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as compared with Spain. Between-country differences were only partially explained by the covariates analysed. Research is needed to explore other aspects of work and cultural attributes that might explain the residual differences in UEMP.Funding for this research was supported by Grant No. 5T42OH008421 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWCOEH), a NIOSH Education and Research Center, Fogarty grant No. 5D43TW000644-13 and Colt Foundation CF/03/0