title: Risk Factors Linked to Psychological Distress, Productivity Losses, and Sick Leave in Low-Back-Pain Employees: A Three-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study.
abstract: Background. Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health problems worldwide. Purpose. To investigate the link between baseline demographic and occupational, medical, and lifestyle data with following psychological and occupational outcomes in a large sample of employees with LBP over a 3-year period. Study Design. Three-year prospective cohort study. Methods. Italian-speaking employees (N = 4492) with a diagnosis of LBP were included. Screening at Time 1 was done in order to collect information about severity and classification of LBP, demographic, lifestyle, and occupational status data. Psychological distress (PGWBI) and occupational burden were assessed after 3 years. Results. After 3 years, employees with LBP not due to organic causes had an increased risk of psychological distress. Gender appears to be an important variable for following occupational burden. Indeed, being a white-collar man with a LBP without organic causes seems to be a protective factor for following work outcomes, while being a white-collar woman with a LBP not due to organic causes appears to be a risk factor for subsequent sick leave. Moreover, LBP severity affects psychological and occupational outcomes. Conclusion. Our findings have several implications that could be considered in preventive and supportive programs for LBP employees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Human Factors and Technologies in Healthcare Research Centre, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3336-7920
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Compare
authors.affiliation: Pain Medicine Centre, Centro Diagnostico Italiano, Milan, Italy; Pain Medicine Centre, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; University of Applied Science of Southern Switzerland, Pain Pathophysiology and Therapy Programme, Manno, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marchettini
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy; Human Factors and Technologies in Healthcare Research Centre, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zarbo