Association between presenteeism and health-related quality of life among Japanese adults with chronic lower back pain: a retrospective observational study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study investigated the relationship between presenteeism and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Japanese adults with chronic lower back pain (CLBP).DesignThis was a retrospective, cross-sectional study.SettingData were collected via a self-administered online survey of the Japanese adult general population.ParticipantsThe present study used 2014 Japan National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) data (n=30 000). Specifically, data were included from NHWS respondents who self-reported being employed in the past week and having experienced LBP in the past month, with these symptoms lasting for at least 3 months (n=239). 84 (35.1%) participants in this study were female.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPresenteeism and HRQoL were measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-General Health (categorical (none: 0%, low: 10%–20%, high: ≥30%) and continuous) and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, respectively. Covariates included patient demographics, health characteristics, pain characteristics and depression severity (Patient Health Questionnaire).ResultsPresenteeism was reported by 77.4% of respondents. High (vs no) presenteeism related to more severe pain in the prior week (4.9±2.2 vs 3.6±2.1, p=0.001) and currently (5.1±2.1 vs 3.9±3.9, p=0.007), more pain sites (1.9±1.6 vs 1.1±1.4, p=0.004) and greater depression severity (7.5±6.5 vs 3.6±3.6, p<0.001). Adjusting for covariates, high (vs no) presenteeism related to lower mental and physical HRQoL. For low versus no presenteeism, significant HRQoL differences were observed in general health (43.0, 95% CI 40.3 to 45.6 vs 46.9, 95% CI 43.9 to 49.8, p=0.015).ConclusionsMost respondents experienced presenteeism. Those with high or low presenteeism had poorer HRQoL than respondents with no presenteeism. Monitoring presenteeism rates may help identify workers with an unmet need for better CLBP-related pain management.

Mediating Roles of Cognitive Complaints on Relationships between Insomnia, State Anxiety, and Presenteeism in Japanese Adult Workers

“…Presenteeism is defined as health-related work productivity loss and being present at work while feeling unhealthy [ 14 , 15 ], which worsens the worker’s quality of life [ 16 , 17 ]. In this study, we defined presenteeism as work productivity loss.…”

Commitment to activities and quality of life and associated factors in patients with chronic pain

“…This is related to low productivity and inability to perform their activities, which determines a loss in their general well-being and ends up compromising the dynamics of moving around to carry out their daily activities, culminating in changes in mood, leisure, sleep and quality of life, in addition to interfering negatively in interpersonal relationships. 31 Often, individuals report a negative self-perception when interacting socially, with frustration and shame when needing to perform their daily activities. There are even reports of little understanding of their illness not only from work colleagues, but from family members, partners and children.…”

ʟ-Serine and EPA Relieve Chronic Low-Back and Knee Pain in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Such pain is associated with daily activity impairment as well as loss of work productivity, which significantly impacts quality of life (QOL) ( 1 , 5 ). In a survey of Japanese adults and the UK Biobank study, greater pain severity and higher number of pain sites were associated with higher presenteeism ( 6 , 7 ). Another study demonstrated that the total incremental cost of health care due to pain was $635 billion in the United States ( 8 ).…”