Hartung Christofer, Görtz Hartmut, Heckenkamp Jörg, Nienhaus Albert
Competence Center for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Sep 15;26(1):850. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-09134-5.
In medical settings, lead aprons provide protection from ionising radiation but also result in physical strain that may lead to musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs). These complaints may have an impact on the wearer's professional or private life. Therefore, we aimed to assess the 12-month prevalence of MSCs among physicians with different exposure times to lead aprons, and to determine the proportion of MSC-related restrictions in work or leisure time. In addition, we investigated potential confounding factors associated with MSC-related restrictions.
The study population consisted of physicians working full- or part-time. The data were collected between December 2023 and February 2024 using the German version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The prevalence of MSCs and MSC-related restrictions was recorded in four body regions: neck and cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and lower back, as well as the shoulder joints and upper arms. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval) to identify potential occupational and personal confounding factors.
A total of 461 questionnaires were evaluated. Eighty-seven per cent of participants reported regularly wearing a lead apron for at least one year as part of their work. The prevalence of MSCs varied depending on the body region, ranging from 50 to 82%. Between 21% and 44% of the respondents reported MSC-related restrictions at work or in their leisure time. A significant correlation was identified between awkward postures and MSC-related restrictions in all body regions. Lead apron exposure (more than 20 years) increased the likelihood of experiencing MSC-related restrictions in the shoulder joints and upper arms (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.036-4.943). Performing more than 100 procedures per year increased the likelihood of experiencing MSC-related restrictions in the thoracic spine (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.005-2.670).
This study revealed that MSCs are prevalent among this study population, particularly those affecting the lumbar and cervical spine. Awkward postures at work had a significant impact on MSC-related restrictions in all body regions, whereas wearing a lead apron over several years resulted primarily in MSC-related restrictions affecting the shoulder joints/upper arms. Additional analyses are needed to identify activities that cause physical strain, and determine appropriate, targeted preventive measures.
在医疗环境中，铅围裙可提供电离辐射防护，但也会导致身体疲劳，可能引发肌肉骨骼疾病（MSCs）。这些疾病可能会影响穿着者的职业或私人生活。因此，我们旨在评估不同铅围裙暴露时间的医生中MSCs的12个月患病率，并确定工作或休闲时间中与MSCs相关限制的比例。此外，我们调查了与MSCs相关限制相关的潜在混杂因素。
研究人群包括全职或兼职工作的医生。数据于2023年12月至2024年2月期间使用北欧肌肉骨骼问卷的德文版收集。在四个身体部位记录了MSCs的患病率和与MSCs相关的限制：颈部和颈椎、胸椎、腰椎和下背部，以及肩关节和上臂。我们进行了多因素逻辑回归（优势比；95%置信区间）以确定潜在的职业和个人混杂因素。
共评估了461份问卷。87%的参与者报告称，作为工作的一部分，他们经常佩戴铅围裙至少一年。MSCs的患病率因身体部位而异，范围为50%至82%。21%至44%的受访者报告了工作或休闲时间中与MSCs相关的限制。在所有身体部位，不良姿势与MSCs相关限制之间存在显著相关性。铅围裙暴露（超过20年）增加了肩关节和上臂出现与MSCs相关限制的可能性（优势比=2.3；95%置信区间=1.036-4.943）。每年进行超过100次手术增加了胸椎出现与MSCs相关限制的可能性（优势比=1.6；95%置信区间=1.005-2.670）。
本研究表明，MSCs在该研究人群中普遍存在，尤其是影响腰椎和颈椎的疾病。工作中的不良姿势对所有身体部位的MSCs相关限制有显著影响，而多年佩戴铅围裙主要导致影响肩关节/上臂的MSCs相关限制。需要进一步分析以确定导致身体疲劳的活动，并确定适当的、有针对性的预防措施。
