Ergonomic and psychosocial factors associated with lumbar MRI abnormalities in patients with low back pain

Back pain as one of the most frequent health conditions recognized as a factor contributing to work disabilities. Ergonomic hazards are identified as suspects in the debate on back pain in working people. Although numerous studies have delved into the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results and back pain, there is a scarcity of literature investigating the connection between ergonomic risks and back pain in symptomatic patients so we decided to investigate the relationship between ergonomic hazards, MRI findings, and patients’ back pain in this study. This cross-sectional study was investigated a total of 96 patients who presented with back pain. with various ergonomic hazards contributing to their symptoms This population was selected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing MRI pathologies. Data collection was performed using a checklist containing questions related to occupational, medical, familial, ergonomic, clinical, and radiological factors. Half of the patients reported no regular working hours, while 37.5% worked eight or more hours daily. Sedentary jobs were linked to a higher likelihood of degenerative changes. working more than eight hours per day was associated with degenerative changes. In contrast, lifting activities showed an inverse correlation. Psychological disorders were strongly linked to higher pain severity. lower job satisfaction was associated with prolonged pain duration, highlighting the role of occupational factors in prolonged back pain. Our findings highlight that back pain in working adults arises from a combination of physical and psychosocial factors.