Associations Between Lower Back Pain and Job Types in South Korean Male Firefighters

ABSTRACTThe aims of this study were to (1) compare the prevalence of LBP in firefighters according to job type and (2) identify the risk factors of LBP. A random sample of 277 male firefighters and 72 hospital office workers completed questionnaires and underwent lumbar spine MRI. The prevalence of LBP in firefighters (85.1%) was higher than in controls (54.5%). The odds ratio (OR) of LBP and severe insomnia (3.84, 95% CI [1.17, 12.06]) was statistically higher than LBP without insomnia. The OR of LBP and herniated lumbar disc 4-5 (1.86, 95% CI [1.03, 3.35]) was statistically higher than that of LBP without lumbar disc herniation. The ORs of LBP in emergency medical service (2.57, 95% CI [1.20, 5.58]) and rescue workers (3.69, 95% CI [1.37, 9.94]) were statistically higher than in controls. LBP is more prevalent in firefighters than in controls and is affected by insomnia, lumbar disc herniation, and job type.