Work limitation due to low back pain among tobacco farmers in southern Brazil

Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)
Rodrigo D Meucci, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Anaclaudia G Fassa, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Neice M Faria, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Nadia S Fiori, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Vanessa I Miranda, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
Deiner P Resende, BS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
INTRODUCTION:  Farm work require high physical effort and awkward postures, which are risk factors for low back pain and work limitation. Low back pain, particularly chronic pain, is responsible for a high number of sick leaves. In Brazil, there are no studies about work limitation due to low back pain among farmers. 

METHODS:  This paper, through a cross-sectional study carried out in a random sample of Brazilian tobacco farmers, assesses the prevalence of work limitations due to chronic low back pain (CLBP), low back pain in the last month (LBPLM) and acute low back pain (ALBP), as well as the tasks the farmers have to stop doing.

RESULTS:  The prevalence of work limitation due to CLBP, LBPLM and ALBP were respectively 37,6%, 14,4,% e 7,8%.  Carrying leaves, stacking firewood and harvesting bottom leaves were the tasks that tobacco farmers have to stop doing more frequently. In the adjusted analysis, age, road tax expenses, difficulty in paying debts and minor psychiatric disorders were associated to work limitation due to LBPLM. 

CONCLUSIONS:  LBPLM is inappropriate for acute pain measurement, as 1/5 of the individuals with LBPLM have CLBP. Individuals with ALBP stopped doing the same tasks than CLBP individuals, but CLBP individuals have higher work limitations. Low back work limitation studies should discriminate acute from chronic pain.

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