A method for imputing the impact of health problems on at-work performance and productivity from available health data.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a method for imputing the work performance and productivity impact of illness and treatment from available data.


METHODS
Using data from four studies of musculoskeletal disorders (eg, osteoarthritis) and pain, we modeled the relationships between scores from the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), a validated measure of health-related limitations in work performance and productivity, and a series of validated health measures (eg, a pain scale).


RESULTS
The 15 health and 5 WLQ variables were significantly associated in 115 of 116 study-specific models (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Fifteen commonly collected health variables may be used to predict WLQ impact (increase or decrease) for samples with musculoskeletal pain and physical impairments to help fill information gaps.
Lerner
Debra
D
Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine and the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Mass, USA. dlerner@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Chang
Hong
H
Rogers
William H
WH
Benson
Carmela
C
Schein
Jeffrey
J
Allaire
Saralynn
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000191:economics; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014147:Tramadol; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult
D014147:Tramadol