The following factors were found to have consistent , but limited , support as regards their influence on the risk for sick leave due to back and neck disorders : ( a ) heavy physical workload , bent or twisted working position , and low work satisfaction increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( b ) specific back diagnoses and previous sick leave due to back disorders increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( c ) female gender , smoking , exposure to vibration , and deficient social support were not found to significantly increase the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( d ) self-reported pain and functional impairments were associated with a high risk for long-term sick leave ; ( e ) longer employment periods reduced the risk for short-term sick leave ; ( f ) perceived dem and s at work did not influence short-term sick leave ; ( g ) female gender and higher age increases the risk for disability pension
Risk Factors Associated With the Transition From Acute to Chronic Occupational Back Pain
Study Design . A prospect i ve cohort study was conducted on workers cl aim ing earnings-related compensation for low back pain . Information obtained at the time of the initial cl aim was linked to compensation status ( still cl aim ing or not cl aim ing ) 3 months later . Objective . To identify individual , psychosocial , and workplace risk factors associated with the transition from acute to chronic occupational back pain . Summary of Background Data . Despite the magnitude of the economic and social costs associated with chronic occupational back pain , few prospect i ve studies have investigated risk factors identifiable in the acute stage . Methods . At the time of the initial compensation cl aim , a self-administered question naire was used to gather information on a wide range of risk factors . Then 3 months later , chronicity was determined from cl aim ants ’ computerized records . Results . The findings showed that 3 months after the initial assessment , 204 of the recruited 854 cl aim ants ( 23.9 % ) still were receiving compensation payments . A combined multiple regression model of individual , psychosocial , and workplace risk factors demonstrated that severe leg pain ( odds ratio [ OR ] , 1.9 ) , obesity ( OR , 1.7 ) , all three Oswestry Disability Index categories above minimal disability ( OR , 3.1–4 ) , a General Health Question naire score of at least 6 ( OR , 1.9 ) , unavailability of light duties on return to work ( OR , 1.7 ) , and a job requirement of lifting for three fourths of the day or more all were significant , independent determinants of chronicity ( P < 0.05 ) . Conclusions . Simple self-report measures of individual , psychosocial , and workplace factors administered when earnings-related compensation for back pain is cl aim ed initially can identify individuals with increased odds for development of chronic occupational disability
The following factors were found to have consistent , but limited , support as regards their influence on the risk for sick leave due to back and neck disorders : ( a ) heavy physical workload , bent or twisted working position , and low work satisfaction increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( b ) specific back diagnoses and previous sick leave due to back disorders increases the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( c ) female gender , smoking , exposure to vibration , and deficient social support were not found to significantly increase the risk for short-term and long-term sick leave ; ( d ) self-reported pain and functional impairments were associated with a high risk for long-term sick leave ; ( e ) longer employment periods reduced the risk for short-term sick leave ; ( f ) perceived dem and s at work did not influence short-term sick leave ; ( g ) female gender and higher age increases the risk for disability pension