prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among office workers in lebanon

low back pain (lbp) is a widespread musculoskeletal disorder worldwide. it causes disability that influence work performance in individuals. the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of lbp in the middle-aged office workers in the lebanese population. in this observational, cross-sectional study performed in 2013, overall, 250 office workers aged between 20 and 64 years from different lebanese companies and banks filled out a questionnaire containing various predictor individual and occupational factors. our results show that 112 (44.8%) of the recruited population suffer from back pain. females are the most affected (68%) versus males (32%) (p=0.023). the logistic regression showed that lbp was positively associated with backbone crookedness (p=0.003), knee pain (p<0.001), wrist pain (p=0.002), contractions (p=0.014), numbness (p=0.009), previous treatment for back pain (p<0.001), doctor consultation (p=0.029), household work for 3-6 hours (p=0.001), maintaining same posture for > 5 hours (p=0.024), fear of changing job (p=0.036) and higher bmi (p=0.005). however, use of ergonomic chair, job advancement satisfaction, making radiography was negatively associated with lbp with p value=0.072, 0.022, 0.005 respectively. lbp has an important prevalence among office worker in lebanon. this study might help to estimate low back problems in office workers and emphasize healthy lifestyle, ergonomic measurement and holding educational programs.