title: Comparison of spinal health indicators in predicting spinal status in a 1-year longitudinal study.
abstract: A 1-year longitudinal study was performed to assess and compare the predictive qualities of spinal health indicators (excluding the cervical spine) among aircraft assembly workers having at least 1 year seniority in a large assembly plant. Ten health indicators were compared to determine their sensitivity and predictive power with regard to back compensation and absenteeism in 12 months follow-up, and the presence of any limitation at work due to the back, or symptoms to the back at the end of the interval. The initial response to a self-administered questionnaire was obtained from 269 male workers, of whom 205 (76.2%) completed the follow-up questionnaire. Initial prevalence of symptoms to the back was 42.3%, limitation in performing at work was 28.1%, consultation of a health professional was 7.3%, and a history of compensation for the back (ever) was reported by 30.4%. During the year of follow-up, 16 (6%) of the 269 workers initially enrolled were granted 17 compensated episodes. Of the 205 workers who responded to the follow-up, 33 (16.1%) have been absent from work (with or without compensation) because of their back. The presence, at the beginning of the study, of a limitation in performing at work or in activities of daily living and a history of compensation (ever) were the three indicators independently associated with the occurrence of compensation or absenteeism (total work disability) related to a back problem during the following year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossignol
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lortie
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ledoux
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000401:Aircraft; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014942:Workers' Compensation