Use of multiple data sources for surveillance of work-related chronic low-back pain and disc-related sciatica in a French region

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the data of the French workers’ compensation system (WCS) and three surveillance networks, and to determine the possibility of identifying the industry sectors most in need of programs for prevention of low-back pain (LBP). Methods: This study compared four databases and two types of indicators in a west central region of France: • surveillance of musculoskeletal symptoms in the working population [LBP and disc-related sciatica (DRS) indicators; Cosali study] • surveillance of uncompensated work-related diseases (LBP and DRS indicators) • surveillance of lumbar disc surgery (LDS) in the general population (DRS indicator) • French WCS (disc herniation with radiculopathy caused by vibration or handling of materials; DRS indicator) People aged 20–59 were studied.The prevention index (PI) was used to rank industry sectors according to the number of cases and the prevalence/incidence rate. Results: Construction and manufacturing were the first sectors in terms of PI for men in all databases and indicators. Moreover, transport and agriculture were not consistently highlighted. For women, manufacturing was the leading sector (except for the LDS study: health sector), followed by the health sector. Specific epidemiologic surveillance networks (LDS and Cosali studies) provided ranking of the greatest number of sectors out of the 17 classified. For DRS indicators, the LDS study classified 13 sectors for both genders, and for LBP indicators, the Cosali study ranked 8 and 7 sectors in men and women, respectively. Conclusions: The results showed the complementarity of the four surveillance programs. A multi-component surveillance system allowed detection of industry sectors most in need of prevention programs.