Muskuloskeletale Beschwerden und Lebensqualität bei Entsorgern von Sperrmüll

The work of bulk waste disposal is always associated with the manual handling of heavy loads. This implies a high risk of overstraining the musculoskeletal system. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and their possible associations with quality of life among bulk waste disposers. A questionnaire survey was conducted. The 12-month prevalence of back pain and of other musculoskeletal complaints were assessed with standard instruments from the German Health Survey. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the EQ-5D instrument (EuroQol Group). Overall quality of life was assessed with the WHOQOL-Bref (scores 0–100). A total of 56 men participated in the survey (response rate 53%, mean age 46.2 ± 10.9 years). The 12-month prevalence of back pain of any duration and severity was 70.4%, for shoulder pain 67.3% and for knee pain 63.6%. The 12-month prevalence of chronic back pain (duration ≥ 3 months) was 25%, and the lifetime prevalence of chronic back pain was 29.6%. In each case, 20.3% had a health-related quality of life with no limitations or with slight limitations in the dimension “pain”. In the visual analogue scale (VAS) health-related quality of life was rated with 75.4 ± 15.6 points. The global quality of life score reached 60.5 ± 21.9. Health-related quality of life and global quality of life of bulk waste disposers with chronic back pain were below average. Compared to population survey results (e.g., BURDEN study), bulk waste disposers have higher prevalences of musculoskeletal complaints and lower quality of life scores. Given the high ergonomic stresses of the job, there is a need for intervention to reduce musculoskeletal strain.