Different risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate whether individual, work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors involved in the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints also determine musculoskeletal sickness absence.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on individual and work-related risk factors and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence among 373 employees of laundry-works and dry-cleaning establishments (response rate 87%). Logistic regression models were used to determine associations between risk factors and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints and sickness absence due to these complaints.


RESULTS
Both work-related physical and psychosocial factors showed strong associations with low-back pain and upper-extremity complaints. Work-related physical factors did not influence sickness absence, whereas psychosocial factors showed some associations with sickness absence. Sickness absence was associated with The Netherlands as the country of birth [odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.2-0.6], and female workers had an episode of sickness absence due to low-back pain less often (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9), but more often due to upper-extremity complaints (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.14.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Work-related physical and psychosocial factors largely determine the occurrence of low-back pain and upper-extremity complaints, whereas individual factors predominantly determine whether persons with these musculoskeletal complaints take sick leave.
IJzelenberg
W
W
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands. w.ijzelenberg@erasmusmc.nl
Molenaar
Duco
D
Burdorf
Alex
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007846:Laundering; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology