title: Comparison of pain-resilient working individuals to population-based case controls with/without momentary low back pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have examined the 20% of individuals who never experience an episode of low back pain (LBP). To date, no investigation has been undertaken that examines a group who claim to have never experienced LBP in their lifetime in comparison to two population-based case-control groups with and without momentary LBP. This study investigates whether LBP-resilient workers between 50 and 65 years had better general health, demonstrated more positive health behaviour and were better able to achieve routine activities compared with both case-control groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two LBP-resilient participants completed the same pain assessment questionnaire as a population-based LBP sample from a nationwide, large-scale cross-sectional survey in Switzerland. The LBP-resilient participants were pairwise compared to the propensity score-matched case controls by exploring differences in demographic and work characteristics, and by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and effect sizes. A discriminant analysis explored group differences, while the multiple logistic regression analysis specified single indicators which accounted for group differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LBP-resilient participants were healthier than the case controls with momentary LBP and achieved routine activities more easily. Compared to controls without momentary LBP, LBP-resilient participants had a higher vitality, a lower workload, a healthier attitude towards health and behaved more healthily by drinking less alcohol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By demonstrating a difference between LBP-resilient participants and controls without momentary LBP, the question that arises is what additional knowledge can be attained. Three underlying traits seem to be relevant about LBP-resilient participants: personality, favourable work conditions and subjective attitudes/attributions towards health. These rationales have to be considered with respect to LBP prevention.
authors: Department of Work and Organizational Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland. cornelia.rolli@psy.unibe.ch
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Rolli Salathé
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Melloh
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Kälin
authors: N K
authors: NK
authors: Semmer
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Roth
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Müller
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Elfering
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010551:Personality; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires