[The social and occupational situation of patients 2 1/2 years after hospitalization for low back pain].
Sixty-two of 84 patients hospitalized consecutively for low back pain completed a questionnaire during hospitalization and seven months and 30 months after hospitalization. Out of 43 patients who were occupationally active at the time of admission to hospital, only 23 were still occupied 2 1/2 years after. Fourteen had been granted disability pensions, two were under rehabilitation, two were unemployed and two were on sick leave and had lost their jobs. Patients who were under rehabilitation or on sick leave at the time of admission but had lost their jobs, had now been awarded disability pensions. Seven months after admission, twelve patients had been dismissed from work; of these two were now at work again and seven were disability pensioners. Significant associations were found between rejection from the labour force and the following variables: presence of pain, failure of resumption of work seven months after hospitalization, sick-leave longer than 120 days and dismissal from work after hospitalization. Low educational level and age over 45 years were also associated with rejection, and there was an almost significant trend for patients belonging to social classes 4 and 5. 72% of the patients still had low back pain at least once a week, slightly less than half the patients experienced sexual problems because of the back disease, and more than half had given up at least one leisure activity. 23% used analgesics or non-steroid-anti-inflammatory drugs every day. While 58% considered that the disease was caused by work, only six had applied for and two had been awarded compensation for occupational disease or injury.
Nielsen
A
A
Centralsygehuset i Hillerød, Reumatologisk Afdeling.
Jensen
E
E
Vinterberg
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Rygpatienters sociale og erhvervsmaessige situation 2 1/2 år efter indlaeggelse for laenderygsygdom.