Assessing the quality of life among victims of spinal occupational injuries

Introduction Spinal occupational injuries constitute an important health problem affecting workers in their most productive years. The outcomes of these injuries may influence the quality of life of those victims. Objectives Assessing the quality of life among victims of spinal occupational injuries and identifiying the associated factors to physical and mental health. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted during 9 months (from October 2020) among workers victims of occupational injuries consulting for an Impairment Rating Evaluation. Only those with spinal injuries were included. Socio-professional data and the accident’ outcomes were collected. The assessment of perceived mental health (Mental Component Summary: MCS) and physical health (Physical Component Summary: PCM) by each employee was obtained by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey. Social support was evaluated by the Social Support Scale. The pain was evaluated by a Visual Analogue Scale. Unsuccessful return to work comprises all situations other than a satisfactory return to the same position held before the accident. Results A total of 73 injured workers were included, 75.3% were male. The mean age was 42.78± 8.46 years. The mean job seniority was 14.44±7.86 years and the average number of working hours per week was 46.93±5.61 hours. Among the participants, 43.8% had an unsuccessful return to work, 28.1% of them had a low social support. The mean scores for MCS and PCS were 41.17± 11.89 and 29.57± 5.31 respectively. Factors assocoiated with MCS were : the duration of absence (p=0.008), the rate of Permanent Partial Disability (p=0.025), lhe low social support (p=0.000), working in confection sector (p=0.016) and unsuccessful return to work (p=0.023). Factors associated with PCS were : The pain score (p=0.002), the duration of immobilisation (p=0.007) and being a laborer (p=0.002). No association was found with age, job seniority, the presence of disc diseases and hospitalisation duration. Conclusions Victims of spinal occupational injuries are vulnerable to unfavorable outcomes from work accidents, and hence the need for special efforts to reintegrate them into professional life. Disclosure of Interest None Declared