Prevalencia de las hernias discales lumbares en el personal militar activo atendido en el Hospital Naval de Guayaquil durante el 2023-2024.

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar disc herniation represents one of the leadin couses of musculoskeletal disability in the working-age population, particularly in military contexts, where physical demands increase the risk of disc degeneration. Objetive: To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the prevalence of lumbar disc herniation among active personnel treated at the Guayaquil Naval Hospital during the period 2023-2024. Methodology: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted base don the review of clinical records of patiens diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. Demographic, anthropometric, morphological, location, epidemiologcal, and therapeutic variables were collected and their distribution and associations analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: the naval forcé accounted for 63.5% of cases, followed by the land forcé (19%) and the air forcé (14.3%). The most affected rank was first corporal (25.7%). Physical rehabilitation was the most frequent treatment (39.4%), the sequestred hernia was the most common type (32.9%), and the L5-S1 level was the most frequently affected location (34.3%). Conclusion: The age group showing the highest prevalence was 40.25 years. Regarding rank, the majoriity of cases occurred among first and second corporals. The primary reason for consulation was low back pain. Most active-duty military personnel in the study were overweight, according to their body mass index (BMI). Sequestrated hernia was the most common type, while the L5-S1 level was the most frequent location. Finally, physical rehabilitation was the predominant therapy among the cases analysed.