The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Professional driving and prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging

Professional driving and prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging
Professional driving and prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging
Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether whole-body vibration (WBV) is associated with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc (PID) and nerve root entrapment among patients with low-back pain (LBP) undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods A consecutive series of patients referred for lumbar MRI because of LBP were compared with controls X-rayed for other reasons. Subjects were questioned about occupational activities loading the spine, psychosocial factors, driving, personal characteristics, mental health, and certain beliefs about LBP. Exposure to WBV was assessed by six measures, including weekly duration of professional driving, hours driven at a spell, and current 8-hour daily equivalent root-mean-square acceleration A(8). Cases were sub-classified according to whether or not PID/nerve root entrapment was present. Associations with WBV were examined separately for cases with and without these MRI findings, with adjustment for age, sex, and other potential confounders.

Results Altogether 237 cases and 820 controls were studied, including 183 professional drivers and 176 cases with PID and/or nerve root entrapment. Risks associated with WBV tended to be lower for LBP with PID/nerve root entrapment but somewhat higher for risks of LBP without these abnormalities. However, associations with the six metrics of exposure were all weak and not statistically significant. Neither exposure–response relationships nor increased risk of PID/nerve root entrapment from professional driving or exposure at an A(8) above the European Union daily exposure action level were found.

Conclusions WBV may be a cause of LBP but it was not associated with PID or nerve root entrapment in this study.

0355-3140
577-581
Palmer, K.T.
0cfe63f0-1d33-40ff-ae8c-6c33601df850
Griffin, M.J.
24112494-9774-40cb-91b7-5b4afe3c41b8
Ntani, G.
9b009e0a-5ab2-4c6e-a9fd-15a601e92be5
Shambrook, J.
4ac185d1-8863-4ec7-b338-950236e86e36
McNee, P.
e8378317-d847-4e14-b2ea-42fb6dcb3322
Sampson, M.
9a7da298-adbf-4de4-acd0-aeaebc99ea6f
Harris, E.C.
3e4bd946-3f09-45a1-8725-d35e80dd7971
Coggon, D.
2b43ce0a-cc61-4d86-b15d-794208ffa5d3
Palmer, K.T.
0cfe63f0-1d33-40ff-ae8c-6c33601df850
Griffin, M.J.
24112494-9774-40cb-91b7-5b4afe3c41b8
Ntani, G.
9b009e0a-5ab2-4c6e-a9fd-15a601e92be5
Shambrook, J.
4ac185d1-8863-4ec7-b338-950236e86e36
McNee, P.
e8378317-d847-4e14-b2ea-42fb6dcb3322
Sampson, M.
9a7da298-adbf-4de4-acd0-aeaebc99ea6f
Harris, E.C.
3e4bd946-3f09-45a1-8725-d35e80dd7971
Coggon, D.
2b43ce0a-cc61-4d86-b15d-794208ffa5d3

Palmer, K.T., Griffin, M.J., Ntani, G., Shambrook, J., McNee, P., Sampson, M., Harris, E.C. and Coggon, D. (2012) Professional driving and prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 38 (6), 577-581. (doi:10.5271/sjweh.3273). (PMID:22249859)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether whole-body vibration (WBV) is associated with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc (PID) and nerve root entrapment among patients with low-back pain (LBP) undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods A consecutive series of patients referred for lumbar MRI because of LBP were compared with controls X-rayed for other reasons. Subjects were questioned about occupational activities loading the spine, psychosocial factors, driving, personal characteristics, mental health, and certain beliefs about LBP. Exposure to WBV was assessed by six measures, including weekly duration of professional driving, hours driven at a spell, and current 8-hour daily equivalent root-mean-square acceleration A(8). Cases were sub-classified according to whether or not PID/nerve root entrapment was present. Associations with WBV were examined separately for cases with and without these MRI findings, with adjustment for age, sex, and other potential confounders.

Results Altogether 237 cases and 820 controls were studied, including 183 professional drivers and 176 cases with PID and/or nerve root entrapment. Risks associated with WBV tended to be lower for LBP with PID/nerve root entrapment but somewhat higher for risks of LBP without these abnormalities. However, associations with the six metrics of exposure were all weak and not statistically significant. Neither exposure–response relationships nor increased risk of PID/nerve root entrapment from professional driving or exposure at an A(8) above the European Union daily exposure action level were found.

Conclusions WBV may be a cause of LBP but it was not associated with PID or nerve root entrapment in this study.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: November 2012
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 348275
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/348275
ISSN: 0355-3140
PURE UUID: bfda7230-d5fa-41db-a554-30a2512b44ef
ORCID for M.J. Griffin: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0743-9502
ORCID for E.C. Harris: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-8037-566X
ORCID for D. Coggon: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1930-3987

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 11 Feb 2013 11:22
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:52

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: K.T. Palmer
Author: M.J. Griffin ORCID iD
Author: G. Ntani
Author: J. Shambrook
Author: P. McNee
Author: M. Sampson
Author: E.C. Harris ORCID iD
Author: D. Coggon ORCID iD

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×