Asociación entre la actividad física militar y dolor lumbar crónico en el personal del Hospital Naval de Guayaquil : un estudio de casos y controles.

Abstract

Low back pain is the leading cause of work disability and reduced quality of life worldwide. In military personnel, it has an impact on their performance, output, and absences from work. Objective: The association between military activity and chronic low back pain was evaluated in personnel at the Guayaquil Naval Hospital. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed, including 101 cases (with chronic low back pain) and 202 controls. Demographic and occupational data were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression with odds ratios (OR). Results: The prevalence of chronic low back pain in military personnel was 33.3%. Intense physical activity was not significantly associated with low back pain (p = 0.3755). Length of service showed a slight protective effect against low back pain (OR = 0.979; 95% CI: 0.960-0.998). Conclusions: A sedentary lifestyle in service is a risk factor for chronic low back pain; intense physical activity may have protective effects. Recommendations: Develop chronic low back pain surveillance among active military personnel and those working in administrative jobs, as both may be at risk.