Factors affecting recovery from work-related, low back disorders in autoworkers.
OBJECTIVE
To simultaneously evaluate personal, medical, and job factors that could affect recovery from work-related, low back disorders, specifically focusing on an active working sample.


METHODS
Observational, longitudinal study.


METHODS
Two US automotive plants.


METHODS
Employees (N=352; 289 men, 63 women; mean age +/- standard deviation, 45.1+/-7.5 y) who were active hourly autoworkers, diagnosed with work-related, low back disorder by the plant's medical department.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Oswestry Disability Questionnaire for back pain was used to evaluate recovery.


RESULTS
Factors associated with better recovery were lower stress levels (P<.001) and exercise or physical activity outside work (P<.001); factors associated with higher disability levels over time were current cigarette smoking (P<.01) and bedrest (P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Personal modifiable factors are major influences in the recovery from work-related, low back disorders, even in active working populations. Interventions aimed at increasing exercise and decreasing stress should also be considered as a part of rehabilitation in employed persons with low levels of disability.
Departments of Health System Management, Preventive Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Denise M
DM
Oleske
Janani
J
Neelakantan
Gunnar B
GB
Andersson
Bradley G
BG
Hinrichs
Steven A
SA
Lavender
Mary J
MJ
Morrissey
Phyllis
P
Zold-Kilbourn
Emily
E
Taylor
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001336:Automobiles; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000009:adverse effects; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000150:complications; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States