title: The Consequence of Combined Pain and Stress on Work Ability in Female Laboratory Technicians: A Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: Musculoskeletal pain and stress-related disorders are leading causes of impaired work ability, sickness absences and disability pensions. However, knowledge about the combined detrimental effect of pain and stress on work ability is lacking. This study investigates the association between pain in the neck-shoulders, perceived stress, and work ability. In a cross-sectional survey at a large pharmaceutical company in Denmark 473 female laboratory technicians replied to questions about stress (Perceived Stress Scale), musculoskeletal pain intensity (scale 0-10) of the neck and shoulders, and work ability (Work Ability Index). General linear models tested the association between variables. In the multi-adjusted model, stress (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) had independent main effects on the work ability index score, and there was no significant stress by pain interaction (p = 0.32). Work ability decreased gradually with both increased stress and pain. Workers with low stress and low pain had the highest Work Ability Index score (44.6 (95% CI 43.9-45.3)) and workers with high stress and high pain had the lowest score (32.7 (95% CI 30.6-34.9)). This cross-sectional study indicates that increased stress and musculoskeletal pain are independently associated with lower work ability in female laboratory technicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Activity and Health, Institute for Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark. kennethjay@icloud.com.|National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark. kennethjay@icloud.com.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jay
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark. mkf@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Maria Kristine
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Friborg
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Activity and Health, Institute for Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark. gsjogaard@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sjøgaard
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark. mdj@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Markus Due
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark. esu@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Emil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sundstrup
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark. mbp@nrcwe.dk.|Physical Activity and Human Performance group, SMI Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9220, Denmark. mbp@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Mikkel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark. lla@nrcwe.dk.|Physical Activity and Human Performance group, SMI Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg 9220, Denmark. lla@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Lars Louis
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059232:Laboratory Personnel; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
keywords: behavior; biopsychosocial; fear-avoidance; learned helplessness; pain stress relationship; resources and demands; social factors