The prevalence of low back pain in emergency medical services personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ali Sahebi; Saeedeh Nateghinia; Mohamad Golitaleb; Sajjad Alizadeh; Katayoun Jahangiri

doi:10.18502/npt.v9i3.10221

Ali Sahebi Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
Saeedeh Nateghinia Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohamad Golitaleb Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Sajjad Alizadeh Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Katayoun Jahangiri Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v9i3.10221

Keywords: low back pain; emergency medical technicians; musculoskeletal disorders; paramedic; emergency medical services; meta-analysis

Abstract

Background & Aim: Among musculoskeletal disorders, low back pain causes the most common complaints among emergency medical services personnel worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of low back pain among emergency medical services personnel.

Methods & Materials: We used the PRISMA guideline in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. The search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, ProQuest, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Embase using English keywords and SID, Irandoc, and Magiran data resources with equivalent Persian keywords. Studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were gathered without a time limit until the end of June 2021. The quality evaluation of the selected studies was performed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) tool. The random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, applying the I² index as a measure to estimate heterogeneity among studies.

Results: In the present study, a total of 1038 articles were identified in the primary search, of which ten studies entered the final evaluation phase and meta-analysis after initial screening and removing duplicates. In these studies, 7499 emergency medical services personnel were examined; the prevalence of low back pain was 50.30% (95% CI: 37.98-62.62, I2= 99.1%).

Conclusion: Our results indicated a considerable prevalence of low back pain among emergency medical services personnel. Also, the heterogeneity between studies was very high. It is recommended to teach the correct methods of lifting the stretcher and equipment as well as redefining the duties of the staff with low back pain.