Citation

Camerino D, Molteni G, Volponi R, Simionato B, Dondè I. Med. Lav. 1997; 88(5): 382-395.

Vernacular Title

Guida di mezzi pubblici e disturbi alla colonna vertebrale: valutazione

Affiliation

Istituto di Medicina del Lavoro dell'Università di Milano, Milano.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Società italiana di medicina del lavoro, Publisher Mattioli)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9489302

Abstract

Drivers of heavy vehicles can be exposed to risk of spinal disorders due to prolonged fixed postures and vibrations. Thus, ergonomic features which improve the components of the cabin (seat, steering wheel, dashboard) along with correct visibility from the driving position are of primary importance. Also, there are increasingly frequent reports in the literature of the influence of psychosocial factors and stress in back pain. A study was made of 339 volunteers working as public transport drivers; the subjects were administered two questionnaires to collect demographic information, data on past and current spinal disorders, subjective assessment of work organization, ergonomic features of the driving position, and stress. To quantify the prevalence of spinal disorders and their significance compared to a control group consisting of 1200 subjects not exposed to postural risk, account was taken of the threshold criteria recommended by A. Nachemson and the raw prevalence ratios were estimated at specific ages. Comparison of the data revealed no significant prevalence of disorders of the 3 sections of the spine among the exposed in the various age groups. This result, which is apparently in contrast with the data in the literature, is believed to be due to overall improvements in the preventive measures undertaken by the employers. The symptoms reported by some subjects were, however, correlated with incorrect postures due to some not wholly satisfactory ergonomic features and adverse psychosocial factors, with consequent stress.

Language: it