Work-related risk factors for neck pain in the US working population.
METHODS
This study uses the Taylor linearized variance estimation method to compute weighted unadjusted and adjusted prevalence of neck pain by occupation, with a cross-section data set from the 2009 to 2012 National Health Interview Survey.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to explore occupational patterns of neck pain and the relationship between long work hours and neck pain in the working population in the United States.


BACKGROUND
The past research has demonstrated that specific occupations have a high prevalence of neck pain. However, occupational patterns of neck pain in the United States have been understudied.


METHODS
Risk of neck pain was estimated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression with odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) as measures of association.


RESULTS
After controlling for demographic, socioeconomic status, and behavior-related factors and compared with workers in architecture and engineering occupation group, the top 5 occupational groups with significantly higher relative prevalence of neck pain included: military specific (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.17-5.35); arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.34-2.17); life, physical, and social science (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.33-2.11); health care support (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.23-1.97); and installation, maintenance, and repair (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.21-1.96). Compared with those who worked 40 hours, people who worked 46 to 59 hours (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.10-1.30) and 60 or more hours of work per week (OR, 1.35; 95% CI-1.21, 1.51) were more likely to report neck pain.


CONCLUSIONS
This study adds to the evidence that an individual's occupation and work hours affect workers' risk for neck pain. This study indicates a need for new research efforts and public policies targeted to workers who are susceptible to neck pain in the United States.


METHODS
1.
*Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Irvine, CA; and †Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA ‡School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan; and §Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Haiou
H
Yang
Scott
S
Haldeman
Akinori
A
Nakata
BongKyoo
B
Choi
Linda
L
Delp
Dean
D
Baker
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009790:Occupations; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014937:Work