Prognostic factors for long-term sickness absence among employees with neck–shoulder and low-back pain
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors for long-term sickness absence among employees with neck–shoulder or low-back pain. METHODS: In 2000, a representative sample of Danish employees (N=5036) rated their average pain intensity in the neck–shoulder and low-back during t...
Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH)
2010-01-01
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Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: |
https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=2883
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Summary: | OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors for long-term sickness absence among employees with neck–shoulder or low-back pain. METHODS: In 2000, a representative sample of Danish employees (N=5036) rated their average pain intensity in the neck–shoulder and low-back during the last three months on a 10-point scale; using a questionnaire, they also reported on physical and psychosocial work factors, health behavior, work ability and self-efficacy. Employees reporting pain intensity of ≥4 were considered to have musculoskeletal pain. As a result, we defined two populations to be included in our analyses: people with pain in the neck–shoulder (N=848) and low-back (N=676) regions. Data on long-term sickness absence of ≥3 weeks for the period 2001–2002 were attained from the Danish national register of social transfer payments. RESULTS: One fifth of employees with neck–shoulder and low-back pain experienced long-term sickness absence during the two-year follow-up. Among employees with neck–shoulder and low-back pain, respectively, the main significant risk factors were (i) pain intensity [hazard ratio (HR)=1.12, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02–1.24 and HR=1.13, 95% CI 1.01–1.26] and (ii) heavy physical work (HR=1.68, 95% CI 1.21–2.33 and HR=1.41 95% CI 1.00–2.01). CONCLUSION: Preventive initiatives for long-term sickness absence should aim to reduce pain intensity and heavy physical work among employees with neck–shoulder and low-back pain. |
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ISSN: | 0355-3140 1795-990X |