Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.03.20

Identification of Risk Factors Associated With Neck and Low Back Pain Among Dentists in Croatia

Stipe Ćorluka orcid.org/0000-0002-5732-1150 ; Spinal Surgery Division, Department of Traumatology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; St. Catherine Specialty Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Sathish Muthu ; Orthopaedic Research Group, Coimbatore 641045, Tamil Nadu, India; Central Research Laboratory, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
Milan Milošević orcid.org/0000-0001-9008-7645 ; Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Petra Turčić orcid.org/0000-0002-2621-8257 ; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Dejan Blažević orcid.org/0000-0003-2908-2508 ; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Traumatology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Stjepan Ivandić orcid.org/0009-0007-3682-617X ; Spinal Surgery Division, Department of Traumatology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Srećko Sabalić ; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Bernard Janković orcid.org/0000-0002-5732-1150 ; Department of Endodontology and Restorative Dental Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Objective of work: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate neck and
back pain and function among dental professionals in Croatia and identify possible etiological factors.
Materials and Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire was emailed to all registered working dentists
in Croatia. It included demographic data, work tenure duration, handedness and work position
along with standardized scores: the visual analogue scale (VAS), global health rating on the visual analogue
scale (EQ-5D-5L-VAS), the neck disability index (NDI) and the Oswestry Disability Index
(ODI). The sample included a total of 316 female and 105 male dentists.
Results: Female dentists have a significant positive prediction of moderate and severe neck pain,
almost 3 times higher (OR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.33-6.04; P = 0.007) than their male colleagues, but the
probability of pain is reduced by sitting while working compared to standing as a reference variable with
OR 0.39 (95% CI: 0.18-0.87; P = 0.021). Also, female dentists have a significant positive prediction of
moderate and severe low back pain with OR = 2.5 (95% CI: 1.28-4.90; P = 0.007).
Conclusions: In dental medicine, the female sex has a significant positive prediction for moderate
or severe neck and lower back pain, with an almost threefold increase in its incidence compared to male
colleagues, while sitting during work reduces neck pain 2.6 times.

Keywords

dentists; dentistry; neck pain; spine; work

Hrčak ID:

342946

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342946

Publication date:

30.9.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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