Prevalence and Risk Factors of Patellofemoral Pain in an Automobile Manufacturing Factory

ABSTRACT

@#Introduction: Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) in workers is a common musculoskeletal problem that has a significant financial impact on industrial companies. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PFP, its demographic, occupational, and psychosocial risk factors, and the association of genu varum with PFP. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, simple random sampling was used to select 1570 male workers in a large Iranian automobile manufacturing company. Demographic, occupational, and psychosocial data were collected through self-report questions. There were also questions about any occurrence of PFP during the past year. The medial tibial intercondylar distance was measured, and a distance of more than 60 mm was defined as genu varum. Results: The prevalence of PFP occurrence in the past year was 34.9%, and the prevalence of genu varum was 14%. The prevalence of PFP occurrence in the past year was associated with salary (P<0.001), the job satisfaction (P<0.001), duration of standing per day (P<0.001), duration of walking per day (P=0.042), carrying loads (P<0.001), getting physical exercise (P<0.001), and genu varum (P<0.001). Age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), work duration, and having a second job were not associated with PFP. There was an association between job satisfaction and having a non-sedentary job. Logistic regression revealed job satisfaction, duration of standing, and genu varum as predictors of PFP. Conclusion: The prevalence of PFP was high in this automobile manufacturing company workers. This was the first study of the prevalence of genu varum and its association with PFP in Iran. The results show an association between genu varum and PFP. However, according to the results of this study and similar studies in other countries, further investigations of PFP and its risk factors are a necessity.