Prevalence of and biopsychosocial factors associated with low back pain in commercial airline pilots.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the 12-mo prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and to identify individual, flight-related, and psychosocial factors associated with the prevalence of LBP in commercial airline pilots.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered by hand to 708 Thai airline pilots visiting the Institute of Aviation Medicine, Royal Thai Air Force, for their regular medical examinations. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between the prevalence of LBP and statistically significant factors.

Results: A total of 684 subjects (97%) returned the questionnaires. The 12-mo prevalence of self-reported LBP among commercial airline pilots was 55.7%. An elevated risk of experiencing LBP was associated with occasionally to frequently encountering turbulence in the previous year, lifting luggage four or more times per duty period, perception of noise in the cockpit as being too loud, and perception of work hazards at intermediate to high levels, assessed by the JCQ Thai version. On the other hand, the factors that reduced the risk of experiencing LBP were performing vigorous exercise regularly and having 5-23 h rest breaks between flights.

Conclusions: LBP is common among commercial airline pilots. Our findings suggest that LBP in commercial airline pilots is occupation-related. Interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of LBP in commercial airline pilots should focus on work condition adjustment and mental stress reduction.