title: Musculoskeletal pain and limitations in work ability in Swedish marines: a cross-sectional survey of prevalence and associated factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of self-rated musculoskeletal pain and pain limiting work ability in Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) marines, and to study factors potentially associated with pain limiting work ability for the most prevalent pain regions reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based, cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 272 SAF marines from the main marine battalion in Sweden included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-assessed musculoskeletal pain and pain limiting the marines' work ability within a 6-month period, as obtained from structured questionnaires. The association of individual, health and work-related factors with musculoskeletal pain limiting work ability was systematically regressed with multiple logistic models, estimating OR and 95% CI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Musculoskeletal pain and pain limiting work ability were most common in the back, at 46% and 20%, and lower extremities at 51% and 29%, respectively. Physical training ≤1 day/week (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.7 to 16.8); body height ≤1.80 m (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.6 to 15.1) and ≥1.86 m (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.4 to 14.1); computer work 1/4 of the working day (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 10.0) and ≥1/2 (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 10.1) of the working day were independently associated with back pain limiting work ability. None of the studied variables emerged significantly associated with such pain for the lower extremities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show that musculoskeletal pain and resultant limitations in work ability are common in SAF marines. Low frequency of physical training emerged independently associated with back pain limiting work ability. This suggests that marines performing physical training 1 day per week or less are suitable candidates for further medical evaluation and secondary preventive actions. While also associated, body height and computer work need further exploration as underlying mechanisms for back pain limiting work ability. Further prospective studies are necessary to clarify the direction of causality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden Swedish Armed Forces, Regional Medical Service Mälardalen, Berga, Sweden.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monnier
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden Swedish Armed Forces, HR Centre, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Djupsjöbacka
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Engineering, School of Technology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lars-Åke
authors.initials: LÅ
authors.lastname: Brodin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden Centre for Clinical Research Dalarna, Falun, Sweden Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Björn O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Äng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE; PRIMARY CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH