Occupational factors affecting sick leave attributed to low back pain

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the occupational factors that cause workers to take sick leave attributed to low-back pain. Methods Twice, with a 24-month interval, 117 white-and 189 blue-collar employees from 2 metal industry companies completed a questionnaire on recurrent low-back pain and exposure to potential risk factors (biomechanical loads, physical environment, psychosocial factors) at work. Sick leave was monitored for the period between the questionnaires. Results Low-back pain was predicted by exposure to harmful biomechanical loads among both white-and blue-collar workers [odds ratio (OR) 4.1 and 4.7, respectively), stress among white-collar workers (OR 2.4), and draft among blue-collar workers (OR 2.3). The take-up of sick leave was predicted by exposure to harmful biomechanical loads [rate ratio (RR) 1.71; for sick leaves attributed to low-back pain the rate ratio was 3.1. Lack of recognition and respect at work predicted sick leave attributed to low-back pain (RR 2.0), but not sick leave attributed to other disorders. CO~CIUS~OIIS Recurrent low-back pain is preceded by reports of harmful biomechanical loads at work among white-and blue-collar workers, by stress among white-collar workers and by draft among blue-collar workers. The environmental and psychosocial factors under study did not modify the relation between biomechanical loads and recurrent low-back pain. Sick leave attributed to back disorders is preceded by exposure to biomechanical loads at work and by a lack of recognition and respect at work among blue-collar workers. Biomechanical loading seems to be the most important occupational factor predicting both recurrent low-back pain and sick leave attributed to back disorders. Lack of recognition and respect at work appear to affect sick leave attributed to back disorders.

Atividade ocupacional e prevalência de dor osteomuscular em cirurgiões-dentistas de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil: contribuição ao debate sobre os distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho

“…Fatores psicossociais ligados à organização do trabalho e fatores psicológicos individuais podem estar presentes e imersos entre condições especiais de exposição, nesse caso relacionadas às exigências do processo de trabalho dos dentistas (Cooper et al, 1987;Coster et al, 1987;Rundcrantz et al, 1990Rundcrantz et al, , 1991aRundcrantz et al, , 1991bMurtomaa et al, 1990;Letho et al, 1991;Mandel, 1993;Turley et al, 1993;Doorn, 1995;Freeman et al, 1995aFreeman et al, , 1995bDerebery, 1998;Shelerud, 1998;Stutts & Kasdan, 1998;Wickstrom & Pentti, 1998). Esses fatores são apontados como indicadores de estresse, o que reforça a idéia da odontologia como uma profissão físi-ca e mentalmente estressante e sua associação com problemas músculo-esqueléticos (Murtomaa et al, 1990;Letho et al, 1991).…”

“…De qualquer modo, a relação entre alguns dos fatores psicossociais e psicológicos e as manifestações osteomusculares englobadas como DORT está permeada pelo velho dilema da incerteza temporal das variáveis analisadas (Kelsey, 1982;Wickstrom & Pentti, 1998), não sendo possível dizer, com base nos estudos transversais, se os fatores analisados antecedem ou sucedem o início da dor. É possível, inclusive, que façam parte do próprio quadro clí-nico ou da sua evolução, questão que também não poderá ser esclarecida em estudos com esse desenho.…”

Workshop report

“…In the past two decades, it has been well documented that physical load caused by frequent lifting, awkward back postures, and whole-body vibration are risk factors for the occurrence of low-back pain (3)(4)(5) and consequent sickness (6,7). These occupational risk factors have been incorporated into several national and international guidelines aimed at reducing the occurrence of work-related low-back pain (8-10).…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-97-0276-2724, Owens Corning, Amarillo, Texas.

“…Reports looking at these issues have found relationships with stress at work and the development of heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, musculoskeletal disorders, or poor subjective health in general 19,20,21 Personal characteristics such as age, gender, experience, needs, and personality also have been found to influence coping capacity and stress at work. 8,18,20,22 …”

“…On October [21][22][23]1997, representatives from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a site visit at the Owens Corning fiberglass manufacturing plant in Amarillo, Texas, in response to a confidential request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from three employees. The request was prompted by concerns regarding the causes for injuries and symptoms in the back, shoulders, elbows, and wrists among employees in the Roving area of the plant.…”