Discipline of Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Discipline of Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2023 Jun;54(2):273-280. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2023.01.006. Epub 2023 Feb 10.
According to the literature, low back pain (LBP) is one of the top ten diseases and injuries contributing to disability-adjusted life years worldwide. To the best of the authors' knowledge there are no studies investigating the prevalence of LBP among radiographers working in Ireland or have compared prevalence rates with the national population or other cohorts of radiographers or healthcare professionals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of LBP among radiographers working or who have previously worked in Ireland and to identify any causative factors.
A cross-sectional study in the form of an online questionnaire was developed. Participation was advertised online via social media platforms. Inclusion criteria included qualified radiographers working in Ireland or who had recently worked in Ireland. Section A of the questionnaire focussed on acquiring demographic data. Section B comprised eight questions relating to LBP, including current and previous experiences, causative factors and consequences. Further details on any episodes of LBP in the previous year, whether work and leisure activities had been affected, whether any extracurricular activities caused LBP, and whether a participant sought professional advice. Section C (six questions) used a 5-point ordinal scale to collect information on the frequency of specific tasks performed by radiographers in their daily roles. Section D involved exploratory questions, including whether LBP has forced a career change if they knew anyone who has changed their career as a result of LBP, reaction to the amount of manual handling required for radiographers, whether they thought manual handling training was sufficient, thoughts on the availability of assistive transfer devices, reasons for not following correct patient transfer guidelines, and finally whether they were concerned about LBP affecting their future.
151 radiographers participated in this study, and the point prevalence rate of LBP was 50%, with 12 months prevalence rate of 75%. Regarding activity levels, 25% (n=37) reported reduced work activity, and a further 43%(n=65) reduced leisure activities due to LBP. 37% (n=56) have sought medical advice from a doctor, physiotherapist, or other HCP concerning their LBP in the last year. 68% (n=104) of respondents who have LBP confirmed it was not a result of any extracurricular activities.
The prevalence of LBP among radiographers in Ireland was high and 4.7 times higher than the period prevalence rate recorded in the general population. LBP rates were similar to radiographers working in other jurisdictions. Data from this study may help manage LBP and monitor any interventions' effectiveness.
据文献记载，腰痛（LBP）是全球导致伤残调整生命年的十大疾病和损伤之一。据作者所知，目前尚无研究调查在爱尔兰工作的放射技师中腰痛的患病率，也没有将患病率与全国人口或其他放射技师或医疗保健专业人员队列进行比较。本研究旨在确定在爱尔兰工作或曾经在爱尔兰工作的放射技师中腰痛的患病率，并确定任何致病因素。
采用横断面研究形式，在线问卷调查。通过社交媒体平台在线宣传参与。纳入标准包括在爱尔兰工作或最近在爱尔兰工作的合格放射技师。问卷 A 部分侧重于获取人口统计学数据。问卷 B 包括与腰痛相关的八个问题，包括当前和以前的经历、致病因素和后果。关于前一年任何腰痛发作的详细信息，工作和休闲活动是否受到影响，任何课外活动是否导致腰痛，以及参与者是否寻求专业建议。问卷 C（六个问题）使用 5 点ordinal 量表收集放射技师日常工作中特定任务的频率信息。问卷 D 涉及探索性问题，包括如果他们知道因腰痛而改变职业的人，腰痛是否迫使他们改变职业，对放射技师所需手动处理量的反应，他们是否认为手动处理培训足够，对辅助转移设备的可用性的看法，不遵循正确的患者转移指南的原因，以及他们是否担心腰痛会影响他们的未来。
共有 151 名放射技师参与了这项研究，腰痛的现患率为 50%，12 个月的现患率为 75%。关于活动水平，25%（n=37）因腰痛减少了工作活动，另有 43%（n=65）因腰痛减少了休闲活动。37%（n=56）在过去一年中因腰痛向医生、物理治疗师或其他 HCP 寻求过医疗建议。在有腰痛的受访者中，68%（n=104）证实腰痛不是课外活动的结果。
爱尔兰放射技师腰痛的患病率较高，是一般人群记录的时期患病率的 4.7 倍。腰痛率与在其他司法管辖区工作的放射技师相似。本研究的数据可能有助于管理腰痛并监测任何干预措施的有效性。
