#0073 Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among professional drivers: A systematic review
Driving Pain: Professional Driving Entails High Risk of Lower Back Pain, Study Review Finds
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), or pain in the muscles, bones, and other soft tissues of the body, which account for 42% to 58% of all work-related health issues worldwide, are particularly a major concern among professional drivers. Severe cases of such MSDs often cause disability, leading to lost earnings. In fact, according to previous research findings, truck drivers, bus drivers, and taxi drivers are the worst affected group, experiencing lower back pain (LBP) as a common form of MSD. Other commonly reported MSDs in professional drivers include knee and shoulder pain. While such findings are enlightening, a comprehensive study of different forms of MSD among professional drivers is lacking, which is what motivates our current study.
We conducted a systematic review that attempted to estimate the prevalence of MSD in professional drivers, with special emphasis on those driving light-to-moderate and heavy vehicles. We performed an electronic search of several databases online and collected studies which were then screened and assessed for methodological quality by reviewers. Based on this search, we narrowed it down to 56 studies involving 18,882 participants and spanning 23 countries and used them to summarize the prevalence of MSD in professional drivers. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis of MSD prevalence by taking the weighted average of the results from all studies.
Based on 18 studies, we found that the total prevalence rates of MSD lie between 43% and 93%, with a meta-prevalence rate of 73%. LBP was the most common form of MSD, with a prevalence rate between 17% and 83% and a meta-prevalence rate of 53%, followed by neck pain (meta-prevalence rate ~42%), shoulder pain (meta-prevalence rate ~39%), and upper back pain (meta-prevalence rate ~25%).
While these findings provide comparable data on MSD prevalence among professional drivers, the associated risk factors and the extent of disability due to MSD remains unclear. Further investigations are, therefore, required on this front to help policy makers and occupational health authorities better appreciate the seriousness of MSD among professional drivers and accordingly take steps to improve their overall well-being.
Link to the original journal article:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1348-9585.12150
Title of the paper:
Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among professional drivers: A systematic review
Authors:
Leonard Joseph, Miles Standen, Aatit Paungmali, Raija Kuisma, Patraporn Sitilertpisan, Ubon Pirunsan
