Article

Disc-related sciatica (DRS) is a significant and costly health
problem in the working population. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the
feasibility of a surveillance system for DRS using hospital databases for lumbar
disc surgery (LDS). METHODS: A total of 272 inpatients (119 men and 153 women)
living in a French region and discharged in 2002-2003 from a spine center of a
large University Hospital following LDS were compared with demographic and
socioeconomic data on the population of the same region. Medical and occupational
histories were gathered using a mailed questionnaire. The age-adjusted relative
risks and population attributable fraction of risk (PAF) were calculated in
relation to occupations and industries. RESULTS: Information on employment was
available for the 75 women and 71 men. The risk of LDS varied according to
occupations and industries. PAFs ranged between 30% (12-48) for male blue collar
workers and 22% (4-40) for female lower white collar workers. PAFs ranged between
7 and 17% in the economic sectors at high risk. CONCLUSION: The surveillance of
LDS can identify occupations and industries at risk.
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Langue : ANGLAIS