The association between occupational loading and spine degeneration on imaging - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:There are inconsistencies in findings regarding the relationship of occupational loading with spinal degeneration or structural damage. Thus, a systematic review was conducted to determine the current state of knowledge on the association of occupational loading and spine degeneration on imaging. METHODS:We performed electronic searches on MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE. We included cross-sectional, case control and cohort studies evaluating occupational loading as the exposure and lumbar spine structural findings on imaging as the outcomes. When possible, results were pooled. RESULTS:Seventeen studies were included in the review. Ten studies evaluated the association of occupational loading with disc degeneration (signal intensity), four of which were pooled into a meta-analysis. O

SUBMITTER: Macedo LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6815427 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature