Thoracic Kyphosis Angle in Relation to Low Back Pain among Dentists in Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Non-specific low back pain (LBP) has a direct impact on the quality of life, active days at work and health care costs.

AIM:

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between LBP and thoracic kyphosis angle among dentists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study carried out in the form of census among 84 dentists employed in a specialised clinic in Iran. Dentists LBP prevalence and intensity and thoracic kyphosis angle were evaluated respectively with the self-administered body map questionnaire, visual analogue scale and flexicurve ruler. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS software, version 22.

RESULTS:

The data showed that the prevalence of LBP in dentists was 44.9% and intensity of LBP was reported about 71.9 ± 19.34. Pearson correlation coefficient between thoracic kyphosis angle and dentist’s characteristics was not significant except for work experience. The single linear regression model showed that 1.3% of thoracic kyphosis angle changes was positively dependent on LBP. Also, the present study proved that thoracic kyphosis angle changes were positively dependent to 2.6%, 10.8% and 5.7 percent of age, work experience and Body Mass Index (BMI), respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Despite the lack of significant statistical relation between LBP and thoracic kyphosis angle, there is a high prevalence and intensity of LBP among Dentists. To reduce the risk of work-related LBP among dentists, managing factors such as BMI, work postures and exercises during work should be taken into consideration.

Introduction

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common and most costly occupational injuries; because one-third of work-related injuries in each year and approximately half of all work-related illnesses account for musculoskeletal disorders as these disorders are considered being the hidden epidemic in the today world [1]. It is estimated that the direct and indirect costs of musculoskeletal disorders account for about of 1% the gross national product (GDP) of industrial countries [2], and are considered as the main causes of lost working time, increasing costs, and workforce damages [3], [4]. As well as, these disorders are one of the main causes of absenteeism in the workplace, so that according to previous studies, about of 40% of the compensation paid to workers was related to musculoskeletal disorders [5], [6].

Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent among different occupations, and dentists are not excluded from this norm. In the dental profession, due to repetitive movements, long-term work in static situations, awkward postures, use of excessive force and inappropriate working tools, there is the probability of musculoskeletal discomfort in the form of pain in various areas of the body. So that, Shrestha et al., reported the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dentists in the lumbar (80%), neck (58.8%) and shoulder (47%) [7], and also according to Tim and colleagues study, the highest prevalence of these disorders was reported in the neck and shoulder with range of 37 to 72% and 11 to 35%, respectively [8]. Based on studies, more than 90% of dentists postures during work have moderate and high-risk levels, as they have the worst postures while performing some of their tasks, such as surgery, endometrium, etc., which require corrective actions [9], [10].

Thoracic kyphosis is the main curvature of the vertebral column, which consists of twelve vertebrae [11]. The increase in this curvature (arch) is due to changes in the intervertebral disc and height of the vertebra by reducing the anterior height of the vertebral body and the imbalance between the soft tissues and the anterior and posterior supporting muscles. Thoracic kyphosis is the increase of the thoracic spine curvature in the sagittal plane. Psychological agents such as sadness, depression, weakness and excitement can increase the kyphosis arch [12], [13]. Based on biomechanical information, thoracic kyphosis may be associated with increased pressure on muscles and muscle strength and accelerates the degeneration process, dysfunction, and pain [14]. Increased thoracic kyphosis is associated with decreased body function [15], impaired pulmonary function [16], and increased neck pain, headache and subacromial impingement pain syndrome [17], [18]. This abnormality is most commonly seen in women, for reasons such as muscle weakness, increased fat percentage, and repetition of false habits [19], [20]. Accurate, early and timely identification of these abnormalities can be effective in preventing and correcting them. Various instruments have been used to evaluation and diagnosis of these abnormalities, which include the spinal mouse, pantograph spinal, inclinometer, flexible ruler and kyphometer [21]. The standard method for measuring the thoracic kyphosis is Cobb’s radiographic method, but because of exposure to radiation and costly, this method is not appropriate [22], [23]. Therefore, in this study, a flexible ruler was used to evaluate the thoracic kyphosis. The validity of the flexible ruler in measuring thoracic kyphosis has been proven in many studies abroad and inside our country [24], [25]. Considering the importance of prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders among dentists, this study aimed to measure the thoracic kyphosis and its association with low back pain (LBP) intensity.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among all 84 dentists employed in a specialized dental clinic in Tehran, Iran, in 2018. The criteria for inclusion in the study were the lack of a history of spinal surgery and traumatic orthopaedic problems such as acute back and nerve problems, inflammatory diseases such as Ankylosing spondylitis involving the spine, congenital diseases such as scoliosis and hemivertebrae. Due to the inclusion criteria, 6 dentists were excluded from the study. In the first phase of this study, the prevalence and intensity of dentists LBP were evaluated with the self-administered body map questionnaire along with a visual analogue discomfort scale. In the second phase, the thoracic kyphosis angle was measured using the flexicurve ruler in dentists with LBP. All participants agreed to participate in this study, read and signed an informed consent form.

Body Map Questionnaire

To evaluate the prevalence of LBP, body map questionnaire was used [26]. In this questionnaire to facilitate understanding and position musculoskeletal disorders, the body was divided into 13 areas, including low back in the form of a map.

Visual Analog Discomfort Scale

To indicate the level of discomfort, the subjects were asked to mark the degree of subjective of LBP on a horizontal line of 100 mm long. The intensity of LBP was recorded numerically from zero (without discomfort) to 100 (severe discomfort) using a millimetre ruler. LBP intensity divided into mild (0-20), moderate (21-40), severe (41-60), disabling (61-80) and severe disabling (81-100).

Thoracic Kyphosis Angle Measurement

Thoracic kyphosis angle was measured in each subject using a flexicurve ruler (Ghamat Pooyan Co., Iran) based on Hoppenfeld’s method, according to the distance of the spinous process of two reference bones, i.e. C7 and T12. The Hoppenfeld method was employed to find the two bone landmarks [27]. Finally, the angle between these two bone landmarks (C7 and T12) was calculated and reported as the thoracic kyphosis angle. Besides, the sensitivity and specificity of the flexicurve method for diagnosing hyper thoracic kyphosis were 85% and 97% respectively [28]. Also, the ICC of the flexicurve method obtained by Iranian studies, Khalkhali et al., [29] and Kargarfard et al., [30] was 0.97 and 0.99, respectively.

Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS (version 22.0, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the normality of the data. Besides, we used the t-test, Mann-Whitney, Spearman correlation coefficient, single and multiple linear regressions.

Results

In this study, a total of 84 dentists participating in this study, six dentists were excluded due to lack of inclusion criteria, and 78 dentists were examined. 55.1% of participants were male and 44.9% female. 24.4% of them were single and 75.6% married.

The mean age, work experience, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) of dentists were equal to 38.47 ± 6.54 years, 13.29 ± 7.24 years, 75.12 ± 17.66 kg, 26 172.41 ± 9.9 cm and 24.98 ± 4.16 kg/m², respectively. Furthermore, demographic variables distribution of the studied dentists was reported in Table 1. There was no significant difference between demographic variables in two groups with and without LBP(P > 0.05).

Table 1.

Distribution of dentist’s demographic characteristics (n = 78)

Variable	Low Back Pain		P-value
	Yes	No
Age (years)	38.7 ± 6.6	38.3 ± 6.5	0.772
Work experience (years)	13.9 ± 7.2	12.8 ± 7.3	0.471
Weight (kg)	78.4 ± 18.4	72.4 ± 16.7	0.136
Height (cm)	173.2 ± 9.5	171.7 ± 9.1	0.455
BMI (kg/m2)	25.8 ± 4.3	24.3 ± 3.9	0.104

The prevalence of LBP in dentists was reported at 44.9%. The mean of LBP intensity in dentists was 71.9 ± 19.34. The results of the classification of the LBP intensity obtained from the visual analogue discomfort scale (Table 2) showed that the highest relative frequency among the subjects was related to disabling pain and severe pain, with 34.3% and 31.4%, respectively. The relationship between LBP intensity and angle of thoracic kyphosis was investigated among dentists with LBP by gender and marital status. The results of the Mann-Whitney U test indicated that there was no significant correlation between LBP intensity, gender, and marital status among dentists (P > 0.05). Also, independent sample t-test did not show a significant relationship between the mean angle of thoracic kyphosis and gender and marital status of the dentists (P > 0.05).

Table 2.

Percent distribution of low back pain among dentists using the visual analogue scale (n = 35)

Low back pain (%)
Mild	Moderate	Severe	disabling	Severe disabling
0	5.7	31.4	34.3	28.6

Table 3 illustrated the relationship between factors affecting on LBP in dentists using a single logistic regression. There was no significant correlation between LBP and demographic variables (P > 0.05). However, men had more the risk of LBP than women did. Likewise, the risk of LBP was higher in married than single. Dentists with high age or experience over 10 years had more LBP than others. The odds ratio of LBP was lower in dentists with exercise activity. With the increase in BMI, the odds ratio of LBP was increased. People with more daily work hours had a higher chance of LBP.

Table 3.

Odds ratio and CIs for predictive factors of Low Back Pain in dentists (n = 78)

Variable		Frequency (%) of the total sample	Frequency (%) affected by LBP	Odds Ratio	95% Confidence intervals	P-value
Gender	Female	35 (44.9)	14 (40)	1	Reference
	Male	43 (55.1)	21 (60)	1.432	0.581-3.531	0.436
Marital Status	Single	19 (24.4)	8 (22.9)	1	Reference
	Married	59 (75.6)	27 (77.1)	1.160	0.408-3.298	0.781
Age (years)	< 40	53 (67.9)	24 (68.6)	1	Reference
	40-50	22 (28.2)	10 (28.6)	1.655	0.141-19.386	0.688
	51-60	3 (3.8)	1 (2.9)	1.667	0.131-21.195	0.694
Work Experience (years)	< 10	27 (34.6)	9 (27.7)	1	Reference
	10-20	35 (44.9)	18 (51.4)	2.118	0.749-5.986	0.157
	> 20	16 (20.5)	8 (22.9)	2.00	0.564-7.087	0.283
BMI (kg/m2)	< 18.5	5 (6.4)	2 (5.7)	1	Reference
	18.5-25	30 (38.5)	11 (31.4)	0.868	0.125-6.026	0.886
	25-30	36 (46.2)	17 (48.6)	1.342	0.200-9.019	0.762
	> 30	7 (9)	5 (14.3)	3.750	0.331-42.467	0.286
Exercise activity	No	30 (38.5)	15 (42.9)	1	Reference
	Yes	48 (61.5)	20 (57.1)	0.714	0.285-1.788	0.472
Work habit	Left	12 (15.4)	6 (17.1)	1	Reference
	right	66 (84.6)	29 (82.9)	0.784	0.229-2.686	0.698
Daily work hours	< 8 hours	21 (26.9)	8 (22.9)	1	Reference
	≥ 8 hours	57 (73.1)	27 (77.1)	1.462	0.526-4.067	0.466
Weekly work hours	< 40 hours	23 (29.5)	10 (28.6)	1	Reference
	≥ 40hours	55 (70.5)	25 (71.4)	1.083	0.406-2.888	0.873

Correlation between age, work experience and BMI of dentists was surveyed with the angle of thoracic kyphosis using the Pearson statistical test (Table 4), and the results showed that there is a significant relationship between work experience and thoracic kyphosis (P = 0.045).

Table 4.

Correlation between Thoracic Kyphosis and dentist’s characteristics (n = 35)

Variable	Age		Work experience		BMI
	p-value	r	p-value*	r	p-value	r
Thoracic Kyphosis	0.101	0.282	0.045	0.340	0.170	0.237

^*Pearson correlation test.

Regression models of the correlation between LBP and thoracic kyphosis exhibited in Table 5. Based on the linear regression equation, 1.3% of changes in thoracic kyphosis are dependent on the LBP. The correlation between LBP and thoracic kyphosis is a positive relationship, and somewhat LBP increases the thoracic kyphosis. Based on the multiple regression equation, 2.6%, 10.8%, and 5.7 percent of the thoracic kyphosis changes are positively correlated with age, work experience, and BMI, respectively, and 36.6 percent of changes in thoracic kyphosis is negatively related to gender.

Table 5.

Linear regression models for correlates of low back pain and Thoracic Kyphosis

Variable	Adjusted R2	P-value	Linear Regression Equation
LBP	0.686	0.702a	Thoracic Kyphosis = 38.293 + (0.013 × LBP)
LBP with age & work experience & BMI & gender	0.008	0.405b	Thoracic Kyphosis = 38.293 + (0.006 × LBP) + (0.026 × age) + (0.108 × work experience) + (0.057 × BMI)-(0.366 × gender)

^aSingle linear regression;

^bMultiple linear regression.

Discussion

The results of this study showed that dentists have a high LBP prevalence and pain intensity so that these results are consistent with the LBP prevalence results of similar studies among dentists, including Nadri et al., (LBP 34.5%) [31], Varmazyar et al., (LBP 42.9%) [32], Motemayel Ahmadi et al., (LBP 16.9%) [33], Askaripoor et al., (LBP 46%) [9], Pourabas et al., (LBP 22.9%) [34], Vakili et al., (40.6%) [35], Samat et al., (LBP 44.9%) [36] and Gaowgzeh et al., (LBP 70%) [37].

Investigating the factors affecting on LBP in dentists using single logistic regression showed that despite the lack of significant correlation between LBP and demographic variables; odds ratio of LBP in men were more than women and as well as married than single. Furthermore, with increasing the age and/or work experience (over 10 years), daily working hours, increase BMI and lack of exercise activity, the odds ratio of LBP has increased in dentists.

The result of this study is consistent with the result of Nadri et al., [31]. In a study by Mohseni-Bandpei et al., the higher LBP was reported among people with the work experience more than 20 years [38]. Also, Aasa et al., reported the higher prevalence of LBP in men than women [39], while Leijon and Mulder reported a higher prevalence of LBP in women than men [40].

Assessing the discomfort along with the LBP prevalence, is a useful tool to determine the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions before and after study. The mean LBP intensity was 70.5 ± 24, which was consistent with the previous results by the researcher [31], [41]. In the Nield-Gehrig study, more than 80% of dentists complained of upper trunk and back pain, which was a direct consequence of posture and movements of dentists in daily work [42]. As well as, in Gaowgzeh et al., 90.5% of dentists had mild-to-moderate LBP intensity, and 9.5% had severe LBP intensity [37].

In the sitting position (on the seat during work), the low back arch decreased, and it can prevent from LBP [43]. Dentists should change their working positions based on the muscles group involved during different activities [44]. So that changing sitting and standing situations can be an effective strategy. Dentists, who are working only in sitting position, experienced more LBP (due to static posture) than those with standing and sitting rotation position [45].

Based on the results of the Pearson test, thoracic kyphosis presented a significant correlation with work experience. Despite the lack of significant correlation between thoracic kyphosis with LBP and demographic variables in both single and multiple linear regressions, according to the results of single linear regression, 1.3% of changes in thoracic kyphosis were related to LBP. In multiple linear regression, changes in thoracic kyphosis have increased with increase work experience and BMI, and thoracic kyphosis in women has been higher. However, in multiple linear regressions, changes in thoracic kyphosis are not approximately related to the LBP.

Previous studies have revealed that gender is a risk factor for the intensity of LBP and thoracic kyphosis [46]. In the study of Kargarfard et al., the average degree of thoracic kyphosis was higher in boys than girls, and there was a significant difference [30]. The difference in reporting the results may be due to the demographic characteristics of individuals or studied population.

According to the results of previous studies, the use of preventive strategies such as proper desk, regular and tensile exercises, use of the helpful instruments, use of the assistant, suitable posture can be associated with a reduction in LBP intensity as well as thoracic kyphosis [38]. In Kazemi et al., study, the reason of the reduction of thoracic kyphosis angle in the subjects after a period of exercise with the physioball can be attributed to strengthen the muscles of the posterior region of the spine (spinal extensor muscles) through strength and endurance exercises; as well as flexural exercises in the thoracic area [47]. Hrysomallis and Goodman [48] and Choi et al., [49] showed that the thoracic kyphosis is reduced by increasing the strength of the back extensor muscles through exercise. There also is a negative correlation between the back extensor muscles strength and thoracic kyphosis [50], [51]. The positive effects of physical activity with Physioball on the physiological and physical factors are well known.

Moreover, exercise with physio ball is a reliable way to achieve relaxation and happiness. So ergonomic training courses, back support programs, and exercise programs before and during work recommended to strengthen the musculoskeletal system and improve the musculoskeletal disorders in the work environment of dentists. It can be noted that the being cross-sectional and small sample size are the limitations of this study.

In conclusion, despite the lack of significant statistical relation between LBP and thoracic kyphosis angle, there is a high prevalence and intensity of LBP among Dentists. To reduce the risk of work-related LBP among dentists, managing factors related to LBP such as BMI, work postures and relaxation and stretching exercises during dentists’ work should be taken into consideration. In addition to the above measures, effective training and ergonomic interventions to correct inappropriate work, postures can play an important role in preventing and managing MSDs. Additional research is required to determine the thoracic kyphosis angle about LBP in dentists.