Musculoskeletal complaints among Italian X-ray technologists

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among X-ray technologists and to examine their relationship with physical and psychosocial factors. A cross-sectional study was performed in 2006 among 203 X-ray technologists working in 13 hospitals in the Apulia region of southern Italy. A questionnaire was used to collect data on personal characteristics, physical workload, psychosocial aspects, and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, low back, hand/wrist and legs. Univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were then performed. The prevalence of complaints at any body site in the previous 12 months was 67%. Low back pain was the most commonly reported symptom (59.6%), followed by shoulder (21.2%), neck (19.7%), leg (13.8%) and hand/wrist pain (12.3%). Age was associated with low back pain, while high physical workload was associated with symptoms in the neck, low back and hand/wrist. High job demands were associated with neck and shoulder pain. Overall, our study suggests high prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints may exist among Italian X-ray technologists. Physical workload, psychosocial and individual factors appear to be important risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders within this occupational group.     

Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among nursing personnel in Greek hospitals

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between physical, psychosocial, and individual characteristics and different endpoints of musculoskeletal complaints of the lower back, neck and shoulders. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study a questionnaire survey was carried out among 351 nursing personnel (response 84%) in six general hospitals in Athens, Greece. A questionnaire was used on physical and psychosocial workload, need for recovery, perceived general health and (1) the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in the past 12 months, (2) chronic complaints during at least 3 months, and (3) complaints which led to sickness absence. In logistic regression analysis odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for all relevant risk factors. RESULTS: Self-reported factors of physical load were associated with the occurrence of back pain (OR=1.85), neck pain (OR=1.88), and shoulder pain (OR=1.87) but these factors were not associated with chronic complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence. Physical load showed a trend with the number of musculoskeletal complaints with ORs of 2.47 and 4.13 for two and three musculoskeletal complaints, respectively. No consistent influence of psychosocial factors on complaints, chronicity, or sickness absence was observed. A perceived moderate general health was also a risk factor, and strongest associations were observed for sickness absence due to back pain (OR=2.03), neck pain (OR=8.31), and shoulder pain (OR=6.84). CONCLUSIONS: The handling of physical loads among nurses seems to put them at risk for the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. The development of these complaints into chronic complaints and associated sickness absence is strongly determined by perceived general health and almost not associated with work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors. When the influence of work-related risk factors on musculoskeletal health is being investigated, the general health status of individual workers should be taken into account.     

Spinal troubles in sewage workers: epidemiological data and work disability due to low back pain

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of spinal troubles (i.e., neck, upper back and low back pain) in a population of sewage workers, and to establish the effect of sociodemographic, work-related, physical, and psychosocial factors on the reported work disability due to low back pain (LBP) during the previous 12 months. Methods: Data from 255 sewage workers were obtained by standardized questionnaire, structured interview, and standardized physical examination. Data on the prevalence of neck, upper back and low back pain were obtained with the use of the Nordic Questionnaire. The level of disability was assessed from a modified Low-Back Outcome Scale. Work history included physical factors and job perception based on a modified Work APGAR Score. Other questionnaires recorded the psychosocial aspects of the work environment. In addition, we compared the risk factors between sewage workers who had been prevented from doing their normal work, at any time during the preceding 12 months, as a result of LBP (n=92), and those without any history of work disability during the previous 12 months (n=157). Results: The 12-month prevalence rates of neck, upper back and low back pain were 52.4%, 54.8%, and 72.8%, respectively. The prevalence of spinal troubles increased with age. Work disability during the preceding 12 months due to LBP was significantly positively associated with age, disability, the weekly duration of stooping and lifting 5 years previously and higher abnormal illness-behavior scores (odds ratio between 1.26 and 0.94). Moreover, when adjusted for age, the results showed that the subjects in the work disability group were more likely to report higher pain intensities, decreased participation in sports activities, higher levels of physical impairment, the belief that their LBP was related to the physical demands of their job, and a lack of drive (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed a high incidence of spinal troubles among sewage workers. In a multidisciplinary approach, we demonstrated that not one factor alone but a combination of sociodemographic, work-related and psychosocial factors have shown associations with work disabilities due to LBP. Additional studies evaluating the relative importance of individual risk factors are warranted. Received: 12 May 1999 / Accepted: 27 November 1999     

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Loggers in the Ark-La-Tex Region

ABSTRACT

Background: The U.S. logging sector is among the most dangerous industrial sectors, with high fatality and non-fatal injury rates. Limited research has addressed work-related musculoskeletal disorders among logging machine operators (LMOs). The purpose of this study was to estimate the 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and the associated work-related risk factors among LMOs in the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas (Ark-La-Tex) logging region.

Methods: A self-administered 93-item questionnaire with six different sections: (1) demographics, (2) lifestyle and medical background, (3) work experience, (4) job training, (5) occupational heat-related stress, and (6) occupational injuries and MSS was administered to LMOs (n = 88) using Qualtrics Mobile Survey Software®. Poisson regression models were used to estimate crude prevalence ratios (PR), adjusted PR [aPR], and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results: Regarding organizational, ergonomic, and handling equipment occupational factors and 12-month MSS prevalence, the adjusted model controlled for age, BMI, smoking status, and drinking status. For organizational, the most problematic factors for the lower back were performing a task over and over (63.2%) and working very fast, for short periods (60.0%). For ergonomics, the most problematic factor for the lower extremities was awkward or cramped conditions (58.1%) and for the lower back was bending/twisting back awkward (55.9%). Last, for handling equipment, the most problematic for both the lower back and lower extremities was handling or grasping small objects (57.1%).

Conclusion: Our findings revealed associations between work-related MSS and specific job factors (e.g., organizational, ergonomic, handling equipment, etc.), extreme environmental conditions or environmental, and personal risk factors. In particular, study findings suggest lower back and lower extremities MSS are associated with the a majority of job-related risk factors, lower extremities with extreme environmental conditions, and neck and upper back with personal risk factors.     

Association between perceived inadequate staffing and musculoskeletal pain among hospital patient care workers

Objective

To examine association between perceived inadequate staffing and musculoskeletal pain and to evaluate the role of work-related psychosocial and physical work factors in the association among hospital patient care workers.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,572 patient care workers in two academic hospitals. Perceived inadequate staffing was measured using the “staffing adequacy subscale” of Nursing Work Index, which is a continuous scale that averages estimates of staffing adequacy by workers in the same units. Musculoskeletal pain (i.e., neck/shoulder, arm, low back, lower extremity, any musculoskeletal pain, and the number of area in pain) in the past 3 months was assessed using a self-reported Nordic questionnaire. Multilevel logistic regression was applied to examine associations between perceived inadequate staffing and musculoskeletal pain, considering clustering among the workers in the same units.

Results

We found significant associations of perceived inadequate staffing with back pain (OR 1.50, 95 % CI 1.06, 2.14) and the number of body area in pain (OR 1.42, 95 % CI 1.01, 2.00) after adjusting for confounders including work characteristics (job title, having a second job or not, day shift or not, and worked hours per week). When we additionally adjusted for physical work factors (i.e., use of a lifting device, and the amount of the time for each of five physical activities on the job), only the association between perceived inadequate staffing and back pain remained significant (OR 1.50, 95 % CI 1.03, 2.19), whereas none of the associations was significant for all of musculoskeletal pains including back pain (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.66, 1.41) when we additionally adjusted for work-related psychosocial factors (i.e., job demands, job control, supervisor support, and co-worker support) instead of physical work factors.

Conclusions

Perceived inadequate staffing may be associated with higher prevalence of back pain, and work-related psychosocial factor may play an important role in the potential pathway linking staffing level to back pain among hospital workers.     

Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Surgeons

Introduction Surgeons are a unique group of healthcare professionals who are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMS). The diversity of operating skills for laparoscopic and endovascular procedures impose different physical demands on surgeons, who also work under time pressure. The present study aims to examine the physical and psychosocial factors and their association with WMS among general surgeons in Hong Kong. Method A survey was conducted among surgeons working in the General Surgery departments in public hospitals of Hong Kong. Over 500 questionnaires were mailed and 135 surgeons completed the survey successfully (response rate 27%). Questions included demographics, workload, ergonomic and psychosocial factors. The relationship of these factors with WMS symptoms in the past 12 months was examined. Results Results indicated a high prevalence rate of WMS symptoms in surgeons, mainly in the neck (82.9%), low back (68.1%), shoulder (57.8%) and upper back (52.6%) regions. Sustained static and/or awkward posture was perceived as the factor most commonly associated with neck symptoms by 88.9% of respondents. Logistic regression showed the total score for physical ergonomic factors was the most significant predictor for all 4 body regions of musculoskeletal symptoms, with OR of 2.028 (95%CI 1.29–3.19) for the neck, 1.809 (1.34–2.43) for shoulder and 1.716 (1.24–2.37) for the lower back. Workstyle score was significantly associated with the symptom severity in the low back region (P = .003) but not with the other regions. Conclusion These results confirmed a strong association of physical and psychosocial factors with the musculoskeletal symptoms in surgeons. There is a potential for such musculoskeletal symptoms to escalate in the future, with rapid advances and increasing application of minimally invasive surgery.     

Work-organisational and personal factors associated with upper body musculoskeletal disorders among sewing machine operators

Objective

To assess the contribution of work-organisational and personal factors to the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among garment workers in Los Angeles.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among 520 sewing machine operators from 13 garment industry sewing shops. Detailed information on work-organisational factors, personal factors, and musculoskeletal symptoms were obtained in face-to-face interviews. The outcome of interest, upper body WMSD, was defined as a worker experiencing moderate or severe musculoskeletal pain. Unconditional logistic regression models were adopted to assess the association between both work-organisational factors and personal factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain.

Results

The prevalence of moderate or severe musculoskeletal pain in the neck/shoulder region was 24% and for distal upper extremity it was 16%. Elevated prevalence of upper body pain was associated with age less than 30 years, female gender, Hispanic ethnicity, being single, having a diagnosis of a MSD or a systemic illness, working more than 10 years as a sewing machine operator, using a single sewing machine, work in large shops, higher work–rest ratios, high physical exertion, high physical isometric loads, high job demand, and low job satisfaction.

Conclusion

Work-organisational and personal factors were associated with increased prevalence of moderate or severe upper body musculoskeletal pain among garment workers. Owners of sewing companies may be able to reduce or prevent WMSDs among employees by adopting rotations between different types of workstations thus increasing task variety; by either shortening work periods or increasing rest periods to reduce the work–rest ratio; and by improving the work-organisation to control psychosocial stressors. The findings may guide prevention efforts in the garment sector and have important public health implications for this workforce of largely immigrant labourers.     

Risk factors and musculoskeletal complaints in non-specialized nurses,IC nurses,operation room nurses,and X-ray technologists

Objectives: To gain more insight into the prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints of neck-shoulder and low back and to determine the relation between physical and psychosocial work-related risk factors and the complaints mentioned in non-specialized nurses, operation room nurses, Intensive Care (IC) nurses and X-ray technologists. Methods: The study population consists of 3,169 employees affiliated to eight university hospitals in the Netherlands. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design. The parameters under study were having or having had (severe) low back or neck-shoulder complaints during the past year. In logistic regression analyses odds ratio’s and CI 95% were estimated for all relevant risk factors for each of the four professional groups. Results: In all groups prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints were high: low back 76%, neck-shoulder 60%. Operation room nurses perceived more neck-shoulder complaints (12 months prevalence) than non-specialized nurses and IC nurses perceived less severe low back complaints than non-specialized nurses. Four physical risk factors and one psychosocial factor were associated with low back complaints in all groups. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that both low back complaints and neck-shoulder complaints are major health problems in the four professional groups under study. The prevalence rate of neck-shoulder complaints in operation room nurses is higher than in non-specialized nurses and IC nurses, the latter groups having high prevalence rates already. The exposure to risk factors is perceived differently by each of the professional groups. The professional groups under study all are target for preventive interventions; these interventions need to be specified for each of the professional groups.     

Impact of musculoskeletal co-morbidity of neck and upper extremities on healthcare utilisation and sickness absence for low back pain

Aims: To describe the presence of musculoskeletal co-morbidity of the neck and upper extremities among industrial workers with low back pain, and to examine whether it has an impact on healthcare utilisation and sickness absence for low back pain.

Methods: A self administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 505 industrial workers (response 86%).

Results: The 12 month prevalence of low back pain was 50%. Among subjects with low back pain the 12 month prevalence of musculoskeletal co-morbidity of the neck and upper extremities was 68%. Among workers with low back pain, subjects with high pain intensity or disabling low back pain were more likely to have musculoskeletal co-morbidity. In comparison to the subjects who report back pain only, subjects with co-morbidity showed worse general health and health related quality of life. No impact of upper extremity co-morbidity was found on healthcare utilisation, and sickness absence due to low back pain.

Conclusions: This study provides no evidence that musculoskeletal co-morbidity of the neck and upper extremities influences the choice to seek care or take sick leave due to low back pain among industrial manual workers. For occupational health practitioners the finding of a high co-morbidity is important to consider when implementing workplace interventions aimed at the reduction of specific musculoskeletal complaints, since the controls for one musculoskeletal complaint may impact adversely on another musculoskeletal complaint. Researchers who perform low back pain intervention studies using generic health measures, should take into account the impact of musculoskeletal co-morbidity on these measures.

     

Gender Differences in Personal and Work-Related Determinants of Return-to-Work Following Long-Term Disability: A 5-Year Cohort Study

Objective To assess the differential effect of personal and work-related psychosocial, physical and organizational determinants by gender on time to return-to-work (RTW) following long-term disability. Methods Data come from a larger study conducted in the province of Quebec, Canada. A cohort of 455 adults on long-term disability due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders at the back/neck/upper limb was followed for 5?years through structured interviews and administrative databases. Left-truncated Cox regression modeling stratified by gender was used to assess time to a first partial or full RTW of at least 3?days. Results Survival curves of time to RTW were similar between men and women on long-term disability (log-rank test p value?=?0.920) but many personal and occupational factors influencing RTW differed by gender. Women??s risk factors included older age (HR?=?0.734??in 10?years unit), poor to very poor perceived economic status (HR?=?0.625), working???40?h/week and having dependents (HR?=?0.508) and awareness of workplace-based occupational health and safety program (HR?=?0.598); higher gross annual income (in $10,000?s) was a facilitator (HR?=?1.225). In men, being over 55?years old (HR?=?0.458), poor perceived economic status (HR?=?0.653), working???40?h/week and high perceived physical workload (HR?=?0.720) and higher job insecurity (HR?=?0.825) negatively influenced time to RTW. For both men and women, probabilities of not returning to work varied widely according to workers?? specific profile of personal and occupational factors (high or low risk profile). Conclusion Results confirm the importance of gender-sensitive strategies to investigate RTW determinants from a gender perspective.     

A Descriptive Study of Body Pain and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Latino Farmworkers Working on Sweet Potato Farms in Eastern North Carolina

Agricultural work is a physically demanding occupation. The purpose of this project was to describe the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and self-reported pain among Latino farmworkers who work extensively hand harvesting sweet potatoes. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of farmworkers (N = 120) in eastern North Carolina. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used to describe personal, work characteristics, and self-reported pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Overall, 79% of farmworkers reported any type of pain or discomfort. The highest reported areas of pain were in the back (66%) and shoulder areas (31%). Younger participants experienced more shoulder pain (P = .04) than older workers, and working more than 5 years as a farmworker was significantly associated with back pain (P = .01). Interventions aimed at administrative and engineering controls for reducing risk factors that contribute to WMSDs are warranted.     

Upper body quadrant pain in bus drivers

The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of upper body quadrant pain among Israeli professional urban bus drivers and to evaluate the association between individual, ergonomic, and psychosocial risk factors and occurrence of neck pain. Three hundred and eighty-four male urban bus drivers were consecutively enrolled in the study. Data pertaining to work-related ergonomic and psychosocial stress factors were collected. The 12-month prevalence of neck pain was 21.2%, followed by shoulder: 14.7%, upper back: 8.3%, elbow: 3.0%, and wrist: 3.0% pain. Prevalence of neck pain was associated with uncomfortable seats (odds ratio; OR [95% confidence interval; CI]: 2.2 [1.2-4.3], back support (2.3 [1.2-4.2]), and steering wheel (2.2 [1.1-4.5]). Drivers with neck pain reported significantly higher prevalence of pain in the upper back (OR [95% CI]: 5.9 [2.7-12.9]), shoulders (8.1 [4.3-15.3]), and wrists (7.0 [2.0-21.8]) compared to drivers without neck pain. Work-related organizational stress factors were not associated with neck pain prevalence.     

Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in an aluminum smelter

A cross-sectional study of selected jobs in an aluminum smelter was conducted to assess the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs), and to estimate their association with physical and psychosocial characteristics of the jobs. A structured interview and physical exam were used to assess the musculoskeletal health status of the participants, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the psychosocial factors. Observational job analysis was conducted to evaluate 37 potential physical risk factors. Complete data were available for 104 subjects. The prevalence of WMDs on interview and physical exam were 0.8%, 14.9%, 11.6%, 14.9%, and 17.4% for the neck, shoulder, elbow/forearm, hand/wrist, and low back regions, respectively. Unconditional multiple logistic regression was used to model the relationship between physical and psychosocial factors and health status. Years of forearm twisting were found to be a significant predictor for hand/wrist disorders on interview (OR = 17, 95% CI = 2.9–106); for elbow/foream disorders on physical exam and interview (OR = 37, 95% CI = 3.0–470); and for shoulder disorders on interview (OR = 92, 95% CI = 7.3–∞) and on interview and physical exam (OR = 46, 95% CI = 3.8–550). Low decision latitude was also found to be significant for the shoulder on interview (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 1.3–16). High job satisfaction (OR = 5.9, 95% CI = 1.4–25) and low social support (OR = 5.3, 95% CI = 1.3–22) were associated with low back pain report on interview; only high job satisfaction (OR = 5.3, 95% CI = 1.1–26) was associated with low back pain on both interview and physical exam. Am. J. Ind. Med. 32:66-75, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Individual and work-related risk factors for musculoskeletal pain among computer workers in Nigeria

We investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and the association of 1-month prevalence with individual and work-related factors among commercial typists in Enugu. Participants responded to a questionnaire about occurrences of MSP and a 75.6% (242/320) response rate was achieved. Prevalence was summarized in frequencies and percentages while associations between MSPs and risk factors were explored using chi-square. MSP was most common in the low back (58.3%), and low back pain limited 51.7% from activities between 1 and 30 days. Advancing age was significantly associated with MSP in the low back (x² = 19.885; p = .001), neck (x² = 28.309; p < .001), shoulder (x² = 13.122; p = .011), but not wrist/hand (p = .075). Working 1–5 years in this job was associated with increasing prevalence of MSP in all body regions studied. Lesser job control was associated with increased prevalence of wrist/hand pain. Prevalence of MSDs among computer operators in Enugu, Nigeria, is high and highlights the importance of workplace intervention.     

Factors related to musculoskeletal disorders in nursing workers

This cross-sectional study identified factors associated to musculoskeletal disorders in nursing auxiliaries and technicians in Salvador - Bahia. Three hundred and eight randomly selected female workers answered a questionnaire administered by an interviewer, with questions related to physical and psychosocial demands at work, individual characteristics and activities outside work. Multivariate analysis revealed that musculoskeletal disorders in neck, shoulder or upper back and musculoskeletal disorders in low back are associated to physical demand (material handling, poor back posture and work repetitiveness), psychosocial demand and precarious physical fitness. Musculoskeletal disorders in distal upper extremities are associated to physical demands (repetitiveness and force) and years of work (> 19). The results appoint the need for intervention strategies, incorporating both the organizational aspects of work and adaptations in the physical environment and in the characteristics of tasks.     

Different risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether individual, work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors involved in the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints also determine musculoskeletal sickness absence. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on individual and work-related risk factors and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence among 373 employees of laundry-works and dry-cleaning establishments (response rate 87%). Logistic regression models were used to determine associations between risk factors and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints and sickness absence due to these complaints. RESULTS: Both work-related physical and psychosocial factors showed strong associations with low-back pain and upper-extremity complaints. Work-related physical factors did not influence sickness absence, whereas psychosocial factors showed some associations with sickness absence. Sickness absence was associated with The Netherlands as the country of birth [odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.2-0.6], and female workers had an episode of sickness absence due to low-back pain less often (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9), but more often due to upper-extremity complaints (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.14.5). CONCLUSIONS: Work-related physical and psychosocial factors largely determine the occurrence of low-back pain and upper-extremity complaints, whereas individual factors predominantly determine whether persons with these musculoskeletal complaints take sick leave.     

The relationship between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms attributed to work and risk factors in office workers

Purpose  

Office workers are exposed to various individual, work-related and psychosocial factors during work that have been associated with the development of musculoskeletal symptoms. There is an increasing in evidence that suggests that musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity are very common among office workers. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of individual, work-related physical and psychosocial factors on the prevalence of shoulder, elbow and wrist/hand symptoms attributed to work in office workers.     

Psychosocial and physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulders, and lower back in salespeople.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the association between symptoms from the musculoskeletal system and many psychosocial and other physical stressors in the job demand-control-support model. Also to analyse the influence of personality characteristics. METHODS: 1306 salespeople answered a self administered questionnaire on job characteristics, exposures, personality characteristics, social network, smoking and drinking habits, and symptoms of the neck, shoulders, and low back. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses, high job demands were related to neck and shoulder symptoms (ORs 1.43-1.47 in the highest exposure groups compared with the lowest), and tendency to become overworked and lack of social support from colleagues were related to back pain (OR 1.81-2.04 in the highest exposure groups compared with the lowest). Lack of variation in the job, low control over time, and high competition were related to neck symptoms, but there was an interaction so that both low control over time and high competition had to be present to increase the OR. Also, driving long distances and sedentary work were related to neck and low back pain, and time spent in the car to shoulder pain (ORs 1.64-2.80 in the three highest groups v the lowest exposure groups). CONCLUSION: Both psychosocial and physical factors were associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. Many dimensions of the demand-control-support model were associated with symptoms. Only one personality characteristic, tendency to feel overworked, significantly influenced the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms.     

Prognostic factors for musculoskeletal sickness absence and return to work among welders and metal workers

OBJECTIVES: To analyse factors that determine the occurrence of sickness absence due to musculoskeletal problems and the time it takes to return to work. METHODS: A longitudinal study with two year follow up was conducted among 283 male welders and metal workers. The survey started with a standardised interview on the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints. 61 (22%) workers were lost to follow up. Data on sickness absence among 222 workers during the follow up were collected from absence records and self reports. Regression analysis based on proportional hazards models was applied to identify risk factors for the occurrence and duration of sickness absence due to various musculoskeletal complaints. RESULTS: During the follow up 51% of the workers attributed at least one period of sickness absence to musculoskeletal complaints which accounted for 44% of all work days lost. A history of back pain was not associated with sickness absence for back pain, partly because subjects with back pain were more likely to be lost to follow up. Neck or shoulder pain and pain of the upper extremities contributed significantly to neck or shoulder absence (relative risk (RR) 3.35; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.73 to 6.47) and to upper extremities absence (RR 2.29; 95% CI 1.17 to 4.46), respectively. Company and job title were also significant predictors for sickness absence due to these musculoskeletal complaints. Absence with musculoskeletal complaints was not associated with age, height, body mass index, smoking, and duration of employment. Return to work after neck or shoulder absence was worse among metal workers than welders (RR 2.12; 95% CI 1.08 to 4.17). Return to work after lower extremities absence was strongly influenced by visiting a physician (RR 11.31; 95% CI 2.94 to 43.46) and by musculoskeletal comorbidity (RR 2.81; 95% CI 1.18 to 6.73). CONCLUSIONS: Complaints of the neck or shoulder and upper extremities in the 12 months before the study were associated with sickness absence for these complaints during the follow up. Workers with absence due to pain from back, neck or shoulder, upper extremities, or lower extremities were at higher risk of subsequent sickness absence in the next year.

 

     

Impact of occupational stress and other psychosocial factors on musculoskeletal pain among Chinese offshore oil installation workers

Aims: To explore the relation between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain in Chinese offshore oil installation workers.

Methods: Half of all offshore workers (being a representative sample) in a Chinese oil company were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire providing information on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational stressors, type A behaviour, social support, coping style, health related behaviour, past injuries, and musculoskeletal pain. Factor analysis was used to identify the sources of occupational stress and the domains of type A behaviour and coping style. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the relations between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain in each body region.

Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain over the previous 12 months varied between 7.5% for elbow pain and 32% for low back pain; 56% workers had at least one complaint. Significant associations were found between various psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain in different body regions after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Occupational stressors, in particular stress from safety, physical environment, and ergonomics, were important predictors of musculoskeletal pain, as was coping by eating behaviour.

Conclusions: These observations supported the widely accepted biopsychosocial model of musculoskeletal disorders and suggested that in future studies of work related musculoskeletal disorders, psychosocial factors must be given due consideration.