Prevalence of knee pain and associated occupational factors in a representative working-age population

Introduction: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic knee pain and other types of pain, as well as their associations with occupational risk factors, in a representative French working-age population. Methods: Of the 3,710 workers included in a surveillance network from 2002 to 2005, 2,332 completed a follow-up questionnaire from 2007 to 2010. The questionnaires included questions on pain, individual exposures, and occupational exposures. Incident cases of knee pain (KP) in 2007–2010 (without initial KP) were categorized into two groups: chronic KP (>30 days in the previous year) and other KP. Associations between incident KD and baseline exposures are expressed as odds ratios (OR [95% CI]) derived from multinomial logistic models, separately by sex. Results: Of the 1,616 participants initially without KD, 122 (7.5%) reported chronic KD and 243 (15.0%) reported other KD. After adjusting for age and body mass index, incident chronic back pain was significantly associated with lifting loads > 4 kg, with an OR of 2.1 (1.2–3.6) for men and 2.3 (1.1–5.0) for women, and with kneeling for more than two hours per day for men (OR 1.8 [1.0–3.0]). Discussion: This study highlights the high prevalence of chronic lower back pain in the working population and the role of occupational risk factors in its incidence, particularly kneeling and lifting loads. (R.A.)

Author(s): Herquelot E, Bodin J, Leclerc A, Goldberg M, Roquelaure Y, Descatha A

Publishing year: 2014

Pages: S188-9

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