Impact of Obesity on Low Back Pain Severity and Work Ability in Practicing Dentists

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 faculty of physical therapy BeniSuef university

2 Basic science department Faculty of Physical Therapy

3 Basic science Department Faculty of physical Therapy Cairo University

Abstract

Background: Dentists commonly experience musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), especially

back pain, throughout their careers. Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common

musculoskeletal disorders among the general population. Researchers observed an association between

LBP and obesity.

Objective: Investigating the influence of obesity on low back pain (LBP) and the quality of

work among dentists.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the general hospitals November 2024

to May 2025. Each subject was screened for low back pain. Those with LBP were further

evaluated by weight and height scale, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale

(VAS) and Work Ability Index (WAI).

Results: The mean ± SD VAS score was 5.03 ± 2.17, with 25.7% reporting mild pain, 46.7%

moderate pain, and 27.6% severe pain (p = 0.02). The mean ± SD ODI was 16.19 ± 11.22,

with 70.48% having minimal disability, 27.62% moderate disability, and 0.95% each with

severe disability and crippling back pain (p = 0.03). There was a weak positive significant

correlation between BMI with VAS and ODI. However, BMI was not significantly correlated

with WAI (p = 0.93). Years of experience showed no significant correlation with VAS, ODI,

or WAI (p = 0.99, p = 0.92 and p = 0.66 respectively).

Conclusion: Our study highlighted the possible significance of work-related factors while

confirming the strong connection between obesity and the severity of LBP among dentists.

Key words: Obesity; Low Back Pain; Dentists

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