1. Reported in the Past 12 Months Pain Reported in the Past 12 Months
Back Pain Among Selected Nursing Staff at Carmel Medical Center
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
Chronic back pain is a common musculoskeletal symptom in nurses that results in decreased staffing at the worksite, loss in work productivity and increased rates of time off from work. Although low back pain may be caused by medical conditions such as any kind of infections or cancer, the vast majorities of cases are attributed to mechanical or muscle skeletal conditions.¹
In July of 2013, Carmel Medical Center (CMC) in Haifa, Israel initiated a back pain survey as a result of two factors:
Increasing time off work requests from nursing staff related to low back pain (LBP).
Increasing incidences of back pain in nursing staff confirmed by an occupational health clinic.
Nurses are known to be a high risk group for LBP but there is limited research addressing specific environmental and physical factors that impact the prevalence of LBP. The nurses in this survey worked on the most physically demanding wards with higher rates of lifting and transferring. The results of this survey confirm that there is a high incidence of LBP on these two wards and this is a contributing factor to time off work. Current research also reveals that there is a higher incidence of LBP in the older population resulting in increased medical costs associated with treatment interventions.² It is interesting to note that the youngest population also reported high rates of LBP. Research by Mitchell et al. indicates that LBP is evident in the student nursing population suggesting that LBP begins early in the nursing career.2
Research on the relationship of LBP to overwt./obesity (reported as BMI) is inconclusive at this time but more focused studies are emerging as a result of increasing rates of overwt./obesity. Our survey results reflect LBP being reported in all BMI categories and that the normal BMI group reported the most frequent LBP. Furthermore, the underweight group also reported back pain which disassociates a relationship between excess weight and LBP. Ongoing research is required to validate a relationship between BMI and LBP.
Study Limitations : Limited population size and distribution, self-reported anthropometric data, only one shift surveyed.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to report the survey findings and to specifically address:
The relationship between age and back pain.
The frequency of back pain and time off from work requests.
The relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the frequency of back pain.
TABLES
Table 3: BMI and Frequency of Back Pain
Reported in the Past 12 Months
instances of
back pain
1-3
Back
pain
all the
time
Under
weight
% reporting
0.0%
3.4%
11.1%
% of Total
1.6%
3.2%
Normal
53.3%
51.7%
50.0%
12.9%
24.2%
14.5%
Over-
40.0%
24.1%
5.6%
9.7%
11.3%
Obese
6.7%
20.7%
33.3%
Table 1: Age & Frequency of Back
Pain Reported in the Past 12 Months
0 instances of back pain
1-3 instances of back pain
Back pain all the time
Total
20-30
yrs
% within Age
12.5%
56.3%
31.3%
100.0%
% of Total
3.1%
14.1%
7.8%
25.0%
31-40 yrs.
29.2%
50.0%
20.8%
10.9%
18.8%
37.5%
41-50 yrs.
6.3%
9.4%
51+ yrs.
4.7%
METHOD
A cross sectional survey was developed by 3 clinicians; a nurse, a student intern and a physical therapist.
The survey was distributed to the Internal/Medical Surgical and Critical Care Departments.
The survey consisted of 10 questions, was self reported, anonymous & limited to day shift staff.
Approx. 100 surveys were distributed and 65 returned.
Height & weight were calculated into BMI using a standardized BMI tool .
Survey results were analyzed using SPSS software with assistance from UGA Professor, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith.
RESULTS
The relationship between age and back pain.
Reference Table 1.
The age groups had the highest rate of back pain all the time (37.5%) followed by the age group (31%).
The age group reported the lowest rate of back pain all the time (20.8%) but the highest rate (50%) of frequent back pain (1-3 times per year).
The frequency of back pain and time off from work requests.
Reference Table 2.
The survey reveals 12.5 % of the nurses who reported no back pain did not take time off from work.
In the group that reported back pain as occurring 1-3 times per year, 20% took time off from work.
Nurses with back pain all the time (34.4%) responded with a 63% rate of not taking time off from work.
Table 2: Time Off from Work Requests and Frequency of Back Pain Reported in the Past 12 Months
0 instances of back pain (12.5%)
1-3 instances of back pain (53.1%)
Back pain all the time (34.4%)
Time Off Work Because of Back Pain
YES
(23.4%)
Of back pain 0%
20.5%
36.3% NO
(76.5%)
100%
79.4%
63.6%
REFERENCES
Diomidous M, Gougoumati K, Kolokathi A, Vogdopoulou D. “Development of an educational program for the training of health care professionals concerning low back pain”. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2013:19:77-9.
Mitchell T, O’Sullivan PB, Burnett AF, Straker L, Rudd C. “Low back pain characteristics from undergraduate students to working nurse in Australia: a cross-sectional survey”. Int. J Nurs Stud Nov:45 (11): Doi: /j.ijnurstu
The relationship between BMI and the frequency of back pain
Reference Table 3.
The survey reflects that within the normal wt. group, 51.7% had 1-3 instances of back pain in the past 12 months.
46% of the overweight/obese group reported no back pain.
The underweight group reported the least back pain (14%) while the normal wt. group reported the most back pain (51.7%)
Valerie M. Houghton Registered & Licensed Dietitian July 2013 Haifa, Israel.