TY - JOUR

T1 - A prospective cohort study on musculoskeletal risk factors for long-term sickness absence among healthcare workers in eldercare

AU - Andersen, Lars L

AU - Clausen, Thomas

AU - Mortensen, Ole S

AU - Burr, Hermann

AU - Holtermann, Andreas

PY - 2012/8

Y1 - 2012/8

N2 - PURPOSE: The socioeconomic burden of sickness absence from musculoskeletal disorders is considerable. However, knowledge about the risk of sickness absence from pain in different body regions among specific job groups is needed to more efficiently target preventative strategies. This study estimates the risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) from pain in different body regions among healthcare workers.METHODS: Prospective cohort study among 8,952 Danish healthcare workers responding to a questionnaire in 2004-2005 and followed for 1 year in a national register of social transfer payments (DREAM). Using Cox regression hazard ratio (HR) analysis controlled for age, gender, BMI, smoking, seniority, leisure physical activity and psychosocial working conditions, we modeled risk estimates of sub-chronic (1-30 days last year) and chronic pain (>30 days last year) in the low back, neck/shoulder and knees for onset of LTSA (receiving sickness absence compensation for at least eight consecutive weeks) during one-year follow-up.RESULTS: At baseline, the prevalence of chronic pain was 23% (low back), 28% (neck/shoulder) and 12% (knees). During follow-up, the 12-month prevalence of LTSA was 6.3%. Chronic pains in the low back (HR 1.47 [95% CI 1.17-1.85]), neck/shoulder (HR 1.60 [95% CI 1.27-2.02]) and knees (HR 1.92 [95% CI 1.52-2.42]) were significant risk factors for LTSA. However, only chronic neck/shoulder (HR 1.41 [95% CI 1.09-1.82]) and knee pain (HR 1.69 [95% CI 1.32-2.16]) remained significant with mutual adjustment for all three musculoskeletal pain regions.CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal pain is a risk factor for LTSA among healthcare workers. Future research among healthcare workers in eldercare should include the management of neck/shoulder and knee pain in addition to the management of back pain.

AB - PURPOSE: The socioeconomic burden of sickness absence from musculoskeletal disorders is considerable. However, knowledge about the risk of sickness absence from pain in different body regions among specific job groups is needed to more efficiently target preventative strategies. This study estimates the risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) from pain in different body regions among healthcare workers.METHODS: Prospective cohort study among 8,952 Danish healthcare workers responding to a questionnaire in 2004-2005 and followed for 1 year in a national register of social transfer payments (DREAM). Using Cox regression hazard ratio (HR) analysis controlled for age, gender, BMI, smoking, seniority, leisure physical activity and psychosocial working conditions, we modeled risk estimates of sub-chronic (1-30 days last year) and chronic pain (>30 days last year) in the low back, neck/shoulder and knees for onset of LTSA (receiving sickness absence compensation for at least eight consecutive weeks) during one-year follow-up.RESULTS: At baseline, the prevalence of chronic pain was 23% (low back), 28% (neck/shoulder) and 12% (knees). During follow-up, the 12-month prevalence of LTSA was 6.3%. Chronic pains in the low back (HR 1.47 [95% CI 1.17-1.85]), neck/shoulder (HR 1.60 [95% CI 1.27-2.02]) and knees (HR 1.92 [95% CI 1.52-2.42]) were significant risk factors for LTSA. However, only chronic neck/shoulder (HR 1.41 [95% CI 1.09-1.82]) and knee pain (HR 1.69 [95% CI 1.32-2.16]) remained significant with mutual adjustment for all three musculoskeletal pain regions.CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal pain is a risk factor for LTSA among healthcare workers. Future research among healthcare workers in eldercare should include the management of neck/shoulder and knee pain in addition to the management of back pain.

KW - Absenteeism

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Back Pain/etiology

KW - Cohort Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Female

KW - Geriatric Nursing

KW - Health Personnel

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Musculoskeletal Diseases/etiology

KW - Neck Pain/etiology

KW - Occupational Diseases

KW - Proportional Hazards Models

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Sick Leave

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

U2 - 10.1007/s00420-011-0709-5

DO - 10.1007/s00420-011-0709-5

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21986907

VL - 85

SP - 615

EP - 622

JO - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

JF - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

SN - 0340-0131

IS - 6

ER -