Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39939929›Full record

ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025

In the captain's chair: a cross-sectional study on back pain among commercial airline pilots in Saudi Arabia.

Sarah AlMuammar, Rahaf Alkhaldi, Refaal Aldealij, Daniah Allbdi, Nabeela Ismail, Bashair Alasmari, Roaa Alsharif, Afaf Alkhaldi, Mashael Alasmari

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Sarah AlMuammarFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. muammar.sarah@gmail.com.
Rahaf AlkhaldiFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Refaal AldealijFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Daniah AllbdiFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Nabeela IsmailFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Bashair AlasmariFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Roaa AlsharifFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Afaf AlkhaldiFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mashael AlasmariFamily Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMusculoskeletal disorders, including back pain, pose a significant challenge to workforce health, particularly in professions characterized by prolonged periods of sedentary activities. This challenge is notably relevant in commercial airline piloting due to unique ergonomic issues. Despite extensive research on back pain in various occupational settings, an understanding of the specific factors contributing to back pain among commercial airline pilots in Saudi Arabia is still lacking.

methodsThis cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the prevalence of back pain among Saudi Arabian commercial airline pilots. A structured questionnaire, developed through literature review and expert consultation, covered demographic information, occupational details, and back pain history. The survey was administered online to active pilots recruited through the Saudi Airlines Medical Services, with data collection spanning six weeks.

resultsAmong 310 predominantly male participants (99.0%), a significant prevalence of back pain was identified, with 71.3% reporting lower back pain in the last 12 months. Factors associated with a decreased likelihood of low back pain included comfortable seat conditions (odds ratio [OR]: 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2-0.7), a senior officer position (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8), and regular exercise (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3-1.0). Higher flying hours in the past year were associated with an increased prevalence of back pain (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-4.1). The multivariable analysis revealed that a comfortable seat was the single independent factor most significantly associated with back pain (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.7).

conclusionsThis study highlights a notable prevalence of back pain among Saudi Arabian commercial airline pilots, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. The critical role of seat comfort emphasizes the importance of ergonomic considerations. Findings contribute to the global discourse on pilot health, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing evaluation and potential revisions to existing guidelines. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Back PainLow Back PainOccupational DiseasesPilotsAdultCross-Sectional StudiesErgonomicsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsSaudi ArabiaSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultBack painCommercial airline pilotingErgonomic challengesMusculoskeletal disordersSedentary activitiesWorkforce health

Identifiers

PMID39939929
PMCPMC11816755

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.