Occupational factors affecting sick leave attributed to low-back pain.
OBJECTIVE
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) 1.7]; 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Wickström
G J
GJ
Turku Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Finland. gustav.wickstrom@occuphealth.fi
Pentti
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D012931:Social Environment; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D016526:Workload