Title
High physical work load and low job satisfaction increase the risk of sickness absence due to low back pain: Results of a prospective cohort study
Author
Hoogendoorn, W.E.
Bongers, P.M.
de Vet, H.C.W.
Ariëns, G.A.M.
van Mechelen, W.
Bouter, L.M.
Publication year
2002
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether physical and psychosocial load at work influence sickness absence due to low back pain. Methods: The research was a part of the study on musculoskeletal disorders, absenteeism, stress, and health (SMASH), a 3 year prospective cohort study on risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. Workers from 21 companies located throughout The Netherlands participated in the part of this study on sickness absence due to low back pain. The study population consisted of 732 workers with no sickness absences of 3 days or longer due to low back pain in the 3 months before the baseline survey and complete data on the reasons for absences during the follow up period. The mean (range) period of follow up in this group was 37 (7-44) months. Physical load at work was assessed by analyses of video recordings. Baseline information on psychosocial work characteristics was obtained by a questionnaire. Data on sickness absence were collected from company records. The main outcome measure was the rate of sickness absences of 3 days or longer due to low back pain during the follow up period. Results: After adjustment of the work related physical and psychosocial factors for each other and for other potential determinants, significant rate ratios ranging from 2.0 to 3.2 were found for trunk flexion, trunk rotation, lifting, and low job satisfaction. A dose-response relation was found for trunk flexion, but not for trunk rotation or lifting. Non-significant rate ratios of about 1.4 were found for low supervisor support and low coworker support. Quantitative job demands, conflicting demands, decision authority, and skill discretion showed no relation with sickness absence due to low back pain. Conclusions: Flexion and rotation of the trunk, lifting, and low job satisfaction are risk factors for sickness absence due to low back pain. Some indications of a relation between low social support, either from supervisors or coworkers, and sickness absence due to low back pain are also present.
Subject
Workplace
Major clinical study
Netherlands
Occupational exposure
Occupational hazard
Risk factor
Trunk
Weight bearing
Absenteeism
Adolescent
Adult
Exertion
Female
Humans
Job Satisfaction
Likelihood Functions
Low Back Pain
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases
Prospective Studies
Regression Analysis
Workload
Tillen
Rugklachten
Hernia
Management
Werknemers
Ziekteverzuim
Sociaal verzuim
Arbeidsvoldoening
Arbeidssatisfactie
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d473a1dc-0f95-4745-9fb9-f85d1d405a8c
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.59.5.323
TNO identifier
236551
ISSN
1351-0711
Source
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 59 (5), 323-328
Document type
article