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Kyriakidis S, Rasmussen CL, Søgaard K, Holtermann A, Rasmussen CDN, Gupta N. The "sweet- and sour-spot" of occupational physical activity for back pain: a prospective accelerometer study among eldercare workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 2024; 50:341-350. [PMID: 38874546 PMCID: PMC11239222 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Both high and low levels of occupational physical activity are associated with back pain. Thus, there might be a "sweet- and sour-spot" of occupational physical activity for back pain. Our aim was to investigate if there exists an occupational physical activity "sweet- (lowest risk) and sour-spot" (highest risk) for back pain. METHODS A total of 396 eldercare workers from 20 Danish nursing homes participated. Occupational physical activity was measured between 1-4 working days using thigh-worn accelerometry. Back pain intensity was reported monthly on a scale from 0-10 over 1-year. A zero-inflated mixed-effects model was developed regressing occupational physical activity against back pain, adjusted for confounders. The "sweet- and sour-spot" were defined as the occupational physical activity compositions (sitting, standing, light, and moderate-to-vigorous) associated with the 5% lowest and highest risk for back pain, respectively. RESULTS The composition associated with the lowest risk of back pain - the "sweet-spot"- consisted of 71% worktime spent sitting, 18% spent standing, 5% spent on light physical activity and 6% spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The composition associated with highest risk for back pain -the "sour-spot"- consisted of 8% worktime spent sitting, 66% spent standing, 4% spent on light physical activity, and 21% spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS The "sweet-spot" of occupational physical activity for back pain among eldercare workers involves more sitting and light physical activity time, while the "sour-spot" involves more standing and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time. Research on the occupational physical activity "sweet- and sour-spot" is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros Kyriakidis
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 København Ø, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Sundstrup E, Seeberg KGV, Dyreborg J, Clausen T, Andersen LL. Systematic Review of Workplace Interventions to Support Young Workers' Safety, Work Environment and Health. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2024:10.1007/s10926-024-10186-y. [PMID: 38689184 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-024-10186-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of workplace interventions to support young workers' work environment, safety and health. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in bibliographic databases including PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection and PsycInfo for English or Scandinavian articles published from 2007 to 2022. The PICO strategy guided the assessment of study relevance and the bibliographical search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs in which (1) participants were young workers (mean age: 15-29), (2) interventions were initiated and/or carried out at the workplace, (3) a comparison group was included, and (4) an outcome measure related to work environment, safety and health was reported. We categorized each included study using the intervention classification framework. The quality assessment and evidence synthesis adhered to the guidelines developed by the Institute for Work & Health (Toronto, Canada). RESULTS A total of 33 high and medium quality studies showed a moderate level of evidence for no benefit of 'Mental training' on stress. We found limited evidence of a positive effect of the following intervention types: 'Attitude and belief' on mental health problems, 'Behavior based' on anxiety, and 'Multifaceted' on hand eczema. We found limited evidence for no benefit of the following intervention types: 'Mental training' on mental health problems, and 'Physiological modifications' on musculoskeletal disorders. The remaining intervention types showed mixed or insufficient evidence. CONCLUSIONS Except for a moderate level of evidence for no benefit of 'Mental training' on stress, the evidence synthesis recommends, that there is not enough evidence from the scientific literature to guide current practices. The results emphasizes a strong need for high quality interventions specifically aiming at increasing or maintaining young workers' work environment, safety and health. Included studies focused mainly on individual measures, highlighting the need for studies investigating possible preventive measures at the group or organizational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Sundstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Johnny Dyreborg
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Clausen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Louis Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
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Hansen J, Hansen H, Nilsson C, Ekholm O, Molsted S. Association between educational level and self-reported musculoskeletal pain and physical functioning in Danes 60-70 years old from 2010 to 2017: a longitudinal analysis of trends over time on data from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e073523. [PMID: 37914297 PMCID: PMC10626833 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to investigate the association between educational level and musculoskeletal pain and physical function, respectively, in persons 60-70 years old, and to investigate if the association changed from 2010 to 2017. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS This is a sex-stratified, cross-sectional study based on data from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey in 2010 (n=15 165) and in 2017 (n=14 022).Self-reported data from respondents who were 60-70 years old and reported data for pain or physical function, sociodemographic, education and behavioural factors were included. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of pain and physical limitations. RESULTS Among men, a high educational level was associated with reduced odds of pain compared with low educational level (OR 0.56 (95% CI 0.41; 0.74)). Medium and high educational levels were associated with reduced odds of pain in women (0.74 (0.59; 0.92) and 0.64 (0.41; 1.00), respectively). High educational level was associated with reduced odds of physical limitations in men (0.35 (0.19; 0.65)) and women (0.33 (0.14; 0.78)). The interaction terms between time and education were not associated with pain and physical function, respectively. CONCLUSION High education was associated with reduced musculoskeletal pain and reduced limitations of physical function. The association between education and musculoskeletal pain and physical function did not change significantly over time. Musculoskeletal pain during the past 14 days and chronic pain among old men and women 60-70 years and their level of physical function contribute to important knowledge of a group near the retirement age. The future perspectives illustrate trends and importance of focusing on adapting job accommodations for senior workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Hansen
- Department of Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychomotor Therapy, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Hansen
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Nilsson
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ola Ekholm
- Department of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stig Molsted
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Saila K, Clas-Håkan N, Prakash KC, Subas N. Longitudinal profiles of occupational physical activity during late midlife and their association with functional limitations at old age: a multi-cohort study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:1245-1256. [PMID: 37515644 PMCID: PMC10560154 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-02003-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to examine longitudinal profiles of occupational physical activity (OPA) from midlife to retirement and to investigate how the different OPA-profiles are associated with mobility limitations (ML) and activities of daily living (ADL-disability) at old age. METHODS Harmonized data from two cohort studies from Finland and the United States, that have followed people from midlife until old age were used. Repeated measurements of self-reported OPA were collected during approximately 11- to 12-year period. Persons who had data on OPA from ≥ 2 time points during the period from mid-working life to retirement were included. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify OPA-profiles. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals for the associations of the OPA-profiles and later life MLs and ADL-disability were estimated. RESULTS Three OPA-profiles were identified in both cohorts: high-persistent, moderate-fluctuating, and low-persistent. For majority OPA remained stable: for workers reporting high or low levels of OPA at midlife, the physical demands of work likely persisted, whereas people reporting moderate level OPA had high fluctuation in their exposure level. Members of high-persistent and moderate-fluctuating OPA-profiles had increased risk of subsequent MLs at old age. The RRs for ADL-disability did not differ between the profiles. CONCLUSIONS Perceived OPA remains rather stable for workers reporting high or low physical work demands during midlife, yet fluctuating profiles also exist. Workers exposed to high or moderate OPA have higher risk for MLs when they reach old age. Establishing safe and health-promoting levels of OPA during late working life might have positive long-term consequences on healthy ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyrönlahti Saila
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Unit of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
- Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Nygård Clas-Håkan
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Unit of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - K C Prakash
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Unit of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Neupane Subas
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Unit of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Vinstrup J, Bláfoss R, López-Bueno R, Calatayud J, Villadsen E, Clausen T, Doménech-García V, Andersen LL. Pain Control Beliefs Predict Premature Withdrawal From the Labor Market in Workers With Persistent Pain: Prospective Cohort Study With 11-Year Register Follow-up. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1820-1829. [PMID: 37201673 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
While a range of work-related psychosocial factors has been associated with various pain disorders and early retirement, less is known about pain cognitions and their influence on premature exit from the labor market. Therefore, as a primary objective, this study investigates associations between pain control beliefs and risk of disability pension among Danish eldercare workers. In 2005, 2257 female eldercare workers with low-back and/or neck/shoulder pain>90 days within the previous 12 months, replied to a survey and were followed for 11 years in a national register of social transfer payments. Using Cox regression, we estimated the risk of disability pension during follow-up from experiencing different levels of "pain control" and "pain influence," controlling for pain intensity and other relevant confounders. In the fully adjusted model for pain control with "high" as reference, hazard ratios of 1.30 (95% CI 1.03-1.64) and 2.09 (95% CI 1.45-3.01) are observed for "moderate" and "low," respectively, while the metric of pain influence shows hazard ratios of 1.43 (95% CI 1.11-1.87) and 2.10 (1.53-2.89), respectively. Pain control beliefs are associated with disability pension among eldercare workers with persistent pain. These results highlight the importance of evaluating not only bodily manifestations of pain, but also individual pain-related cognitions that may influence the experience of pain. PERSPECTIVE: This article addresses the complex experience of pain within an organizational context. We introduce the metrics of "pain control" and "pain influence" among workers with persistent pain, showing that the psychometric properties of these measures are prospectively associated with premature exit from the labor market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Vinstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rúni Bláfoss
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Copenhagen, Denmark; Research Unit for Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rubén López-Bueno
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Physical Medicine and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joaquin Calatayud
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Copenhagen, Denmark; Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ebbe Villadsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Clausen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Víctor Doménech-García
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23 km 299, 50830 Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Lars Louis Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Carlsson E, Hemmingsson T, Landberg J, Burström B, Thern E. Do early life factors explain the educational differences in early labour market exit? A register-based cohort study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1680. [PMID: 37653490 PMCID: PMC10472566 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16626-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic inequalities in labour market participation are well established. However, we do not fully know what causes these inequalities. The present study aims to examine to what extent factors in childhood and late adolescence can explain educational differences in early labour market exit among older workers. METHODS All men born in 1951-1953 who underwent conscription examination for the Swedish military in 1969-1973 (n = 145 551) were followed from 50 to 64 years of age regarding early labour market exit (disability pension, long-term sickness absence, long-term unemployment and early old-age retirement with and without income). Early life factors, such as cognitive ability, stress resilience, and parental socioeconomic position, were included. Cox proportional-hazards regressions were used to estimate the association between the level of education and each early labour market exit pathway, including adjustment for early life factors. RESULTS The lowest educated men had a higher risk of exit through disability pension (HR: 2.72), long-term sickness absence (HR: 2.29), long-term unemployment (HR: 1.45), and early old-age retirement with (HR: 1.29) and without income (HR: 1.55) compared to the highest educated men. Factors from early life explained a large part of the educational differences in disability pension, long-term sickness absence and long-term unemployment but not for early old-age retirement. Important explanatory factors were cognitive ability and stress resilience, whilst cardiorespiratory fitness had negligible impact. CONCLUSIONS The association between education and early exit due to disability pension, long-term sickness absence and long-term unemployment was to a large part explained by factors from early life. However, this was not seen for early old-age retirement. These results indicate the importance of taking a life-course perspective when examining labour market participation in later working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Carlsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tomas Hemmingsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Landberg
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Burström
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emelie Thern
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Christensen MR, Nabe-Nielsen K, Holtermann A, Gupta N. Does it matter for health if steps are taken during work or leisure? A prospective accelerometer study using register-based long-term sickness absence. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2023; 20:69. [PMID: 37296445 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-023-01468-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Walking is known to be good for health. However, it is unknown whether it matters if steps are taken during work or leisure. Therefore, we aimed to examine the prospective association between accelerometer-measured steps taken during work or leisure and register-based long-term sickness absence (LTSA). METHODS We included 937 blue- and white-collar workers from the PODESA cohort who wore a thigh-based accelerometer over four days to measure number of steps during work and leisure. Steps were divided into domain based on diary data. First event of LTSA was retrieved from a national register with four years' follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazard models to analyze the association between domain-specific and total daily steps and LTSA, adjusted for age, sex, job type, smoking, and steps in the other domain (e.g., work/leisure). RESULTS We found more steps at work to be associated with a higher LTSA risk [Hazard Ratio (HR):1.04; 95% CI: 1.00-1.08 per 1000 steps]. No significant association was found between steps during leisure and LTSA (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.91-1.02), nor between total daily steps and LTSA (HR: 1.01; CI 95% 0.99-1.04). CONCLUSIONS More steps at work were associated with higher risk of LTSA, while steps during leisure was not clearly associated with LTSA risk. These findings partly support 'the physical activity paradox' stating that the association between physical activity and health depends on the domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Raunkjær Christensen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark.
| | - Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Section of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Holtermann
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Nidhi Gupta
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark
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Lee P, Xia T, Zomer E, van Vreden C, Pritchard E, Newnam S, Collie A, Iles R, Ademi Z. Exploring the Health and Economic Burden Among Truck Drivers in Australia: A Health Economic Modelling Study. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2023; 33:389-398. [PMID: 36357754 PMCID: PMC9648998 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-022-10081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Background The transport and logistics industry contributes to a significant proportion of the Australian economy. However, few studies have explored the economic and clinical burden attributed to poor truck driver health. We therefore estimated the work-related mortality burden among truck drivers over a 10-year period. Methods Dynamic life table modelling was used to simulate the follow-up of the Australian male working-age population (aged 15-65 years) over a 10-year period of follow-up (2021-2030). The model estimated the number of deaths occurring among the Australian working population, as well as deaths occurring for male truck drivers. Data from the Driving Health study and other published sources were used to inform work-related mortality and associated productivity loss, hospitalisations and medication costs, patient utilities and the value of statistical life year (VoSLY). All outcomes were discounted by 5% per annum. Results Over 10 years, poor truck driver health was associated with a loss of 21,173 years of life lived (discounted), or 18,294 QALYs (discounted). Healthcare costs amounted to AU$485 million (discounted) over this period. From a broader, societal perspective, a total cost of AU$2.6 billion (discounted) in lost productivity and AU$4.7 billion in lost years of life was estimated over a 10-year period. Scenario analyses supported the robustness of our findings. Conclusions The health and economic consequences of poor driver health are significant, and highlight the need for interventions to reduce the burden of work-related injury or disease for truck drivers and other transport workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lee
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia.
| | - Ting Xia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ella Zomer
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Caryn van Vreden
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Pritchard
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharon Newnam
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex Collie
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ross Iles
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zanfina Ademi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Sundstrup E, Meng A, Skovlund SV, Albertsen K, Andersen LL. Expected reasons for leaving the labour market and loss of paid employment among older workers: prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:517. [PMID: 36932371 PMCID: PMC10022057 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15242-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveying expected reasons for retirement may be a useful strategy to maintain labor market affiliation. The aim was to investigate the prospective association between self-reported expected reasons for leaving the labour market and subsequent loss of paid employment before the state pension age among older workers. METHODS The prospective risk of loss of paid employment before the official state pension age was estimated from expected reasons for leaving the labour market among 10,320 currently employed older workers (50-63 years) from the SeniorWorkingLife study. In 2018, participants replied to 15 randomly ordered questions about expected reasons for leaving the labour market and were in 2020 followed in a national register containing information on labour market participation. RESULTS Loss of paid employment before state pension age was predicted by expected reasons related to 'Health, work demands and occupational well-being': 'Poor physical health' (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.45-1.49), 'Poor mental health' (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.32-1.40), 'Not being capable of doing the job' (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.18-1.22), and 'Not thriving at the workplace' (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11-1.17). Expected reasons related to the possibility of receiving voluntary early retirement benefits also increased this risk. Expected reasons related to 'Leisure' ('Wish for more self-determination'; 'Wish for more time for hobbies'), 'Economy' ('Economic considerations'; 'Possibility of receiving pension'), and 'Norms' ('Retirement norms'; 'To make space for younger employees') decreased the risk of loss of paid employment before state pension age. Age-stratified analyses revealed that expected reasons related to the domain of 'Health, work demands and occupational well-being' predicted risk of loss of paid employment to a greater extent among workers aged 50-55 compared to those aged 56-63. CONCLUSIONS Expected reasons for leaving the labour market predicted actual labour market participation among older workers in Denmark. Expected reasons related to poor physical and mental health, and not being capable of doing the job seem to be stronger PUSH-factors among workers aged 50-55 compared to those aged 56-63. Preventing early labour market detachment should take the worker's expected reasons for leaving into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Sundstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Annette Meng
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Venge Skovlund
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Lars L Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Korshøj M, Svendsen SW, Hendriksen PF, Gupta N, Holtermann A, Andersen JH, Dalbøge A, Frost P. Agreement between an expert-rated mini job exposure matrix of occupational biomechanical exposures to the lower body and technical measurements or observation: a method comparison study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e064035. [PMID: 36576183 PMCID: PMC9723893 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Investigating the agreement between an expert-rated mini job exposure matrix (JEM) of lower body exposures and technical measurements of worktime spent standing/walking and observation-based estimates of time spent kneeling/squatting and total load lifted per workday. METHODS We chose 16 job titles from the 121 job groups in the lower body JEM and included them in the mini JEM. New expert ratings for the mini JEM were performed by the same five occupational physicians who performed the ratings for the lower body JEM. For each job title and type of exposure, the exposure estimates were a mean of the five independent ratings. Technical measurements of standing/walking for all 16 job titles, and for 8 job titles workplace observations were performed of kneeling/squatting and total load lifted per workday. Data were collected from September to December 2015 and supplemented by data from the NOMAD and DPhacto studies collected between 2011 and 2013. All data were collected in Denmark. Agreement between expert-based and measured/observed lower body exposures by job titles was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation, Bland-Altman plots evaluated systematic deviations and limits of agreement (LoA). RESULTS Standing/walking showed a rank correlation of 0.55, kneeling/squatting 0.83 and total load lifted per workday 0.71. The mini JEM estimates did not systematically deviate from the technical measurements/observations for time spent standing/walking (mean difference 0.20 hours/workday, LoA -1.63, 2.03 hours/workday) and kneeling/squatting (mean difference -0.35 hours/workday, LoA -1.21, 0.51 hours/workday). For total load lifted per workday, the mini JEM systematically overestimated the exposures compared with the observations (mean difference -909 kg/workday, LoA -3000, 1147 kg/workday). CONCLUSIONS There was moderate to very high agreement between an expert-rated mini JEM of standing/walking, kneeling/squatting, and lifting exposures and corresponding technical measurements/observations. This method comparison study supports the use of the expert-based lower body JEM in large-scale occupational epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Korshøj
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbæk Hospital, a part of Copenhagen University Hospital, Holbæk, Denmark
| | - Susanne Wulff Svendsen
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, University Research Clinic, Gødstrup, Denmark
| | | | - Nidhi Gupta
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Holtermann
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Hviid Andersen
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, University Research Clinic, Gødstrup, Denmark
| | - Annett Dalbøge
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Poul Frost
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
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11
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Pedersen J, Bjorner JB, Andersen LL. Physical work demands and expected labor market affiliation (ELMA): Prospective cohort with register-follow-up among 46 169 employees. Scand J Work Environ Health 2022; 48:641-650. [PMID: 35789276 PMCID: PMC10546615 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the impact of high physical work demands on expected labor market affiliation (ELMA) among men and women of different ages in the general working population. METHODS After participating in the Danish Work Environment and Health study (2012, 2014, and/or 2016), 46 169 employees were followed for two years in national registers. Using multi-state modeling, taking all day-to-day transition probabilities of labor market affiliation into account (work, unemployment, sickness absence, temporary out, and permanently out), and performing multilevel adjustment, we estimated the prospective association between physical work demands (ergonomic index including 7 factors) and ELMA. RESULTS During 104 896 person-years of follow-up, we identified of 439 045 transitions. Using low physical work demands as reference, higher physical work demands were associated with fewer days of active work (2-35 days) during 730 days of follow-up, and more days of sickness absence (4-26 days) and unemployment (ranging 1-9 days) among men and women of aged 40-49 and 50-64 years. Among men and women aged 18-39 years, high physical work demands only had minor and inconsistent impact on ELMA. CONCLUSIONS Analyzing multiple and highly detailed patterns of transition probabilities concerning labor market affiliation we showed that reducing physical work demands is likely to increase the active working time and prevent high societal cost of sickness absence and unemployment, especially among middle-aged and older workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Pedersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Bue Bjorner
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- QualityMetric, Lincoln, RI, USA
| | - Lars L Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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12
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Gupta N, Bjerregaard SS, Yang L, Forsman M, Rasmussen CL, Nørregaard Rasmussen CD, Clays E, Holtermann A. Does occupational forward bending of the back increase long-term sickness absence risk? A 4-year prospective register-based study using device-measured compositional data analysis. Scand J Work Environ Health 2022; 48:651-661. [PMID: 35894796 PMCID: PMC10546616 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Forward bending of the back is common in many jobs and a risk factor for sickness absence. However, this knowledge is based on self-reported forward bending that is generally imprecise. Thus, we aimed to investigate the dose-response relation between device-measured forward bending at work and prospective register-based risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). METHODS At baseline, 944 workers (93% from blue-collar jobs) wore accelerometers on their upper back and thigh over 1-6 workdays to measure worktime with forward bending (>30˚ and >60˚) and body positions. The first event of LTSA (≥6 consecutive weeks) over a 4-year follow-up were retrieved from a national register. Compositional Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to model the association between worktime with forward bending of the back in an upright body position and LTSA adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), occupational lifting/carrying, type of work, and, in an additional step, for leisure time physical activity (PA) on workdays. RESULTS During a mean worktime of 457 minutes/day, the workers on average spent 40 and 10 minutes on forward bending >30˚ and >60˚ in the upright position, respectively. Five more minutes forward bending >30˚ and >60˚ at work were associated with a 4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.07] and 8% (95% CI 1.01-1.16) higher LTSA risk, respectively. Adjustment for leisure-time PA did not influence the results. CONCLUSION We found a dose-response association between device-measured forward bending of the back and prospective LTSA risk. This knowledge can be integrated into available feasible methods to measure forward bending of the back for improved workplace risk assessment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Gupta
- Department of musculoskeletal disorders and physical workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Skotte Bjerregaard
- Department of analysis and data, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liyun Yang
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden
- IMM Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Forsman
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden
- IMM Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Lund Rasmussen
- Department of musculoskeletal disorders and physical workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Els Clays
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andreas Holtermann
- Department of musculoskeletal disorders and physical workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Eyjólfsdóttir HS, Agahi N, Fritzell J, Lennartsson C. Physical functioning as a predictor of retirement: Has its importance changed over a thirty-year period in Sweden? Eur J Ageing 2022; 19:1417-1428. [PMID: 36692770 PMCID: PMC9729518 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-022-00725-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Many countries, including Sweden, are implementing policies aimed at delaying retirement and encouraging older workers to remain on the labour market for longer. During recent decades, there have been several major reforms to the pension and social security systems in Sweden. Moreover, the nature of occupations has shifted towards more non-manual and sedentary activities, older women are today almost as active in the labour market as men in Sweden, and physical functioning has improved over time. In this study, we investigate whether the importance of physical functioning as a predictor for retirement has changed over time, for women and men, respectively. We used four waves of nationally representative data from The Swedish Level of Living Survey from 1981, 1991, 2000, and 2010, together with income register data. We found that greater severity of musculoskeletal pain and mobility limitations increased the likelihood of retirement in all waves. Results from logistic regression models with average marginal effects and predictive margins showed that there is a trend towards physical functioning becoming less important for retirement towards the end of the study period, especially for women, when controlling for occupational-based social class, age, adverse physical working conditions, and job demands. People, especially women, reporting impaired physical functioning did not retire to the same extent as in previous decades. This indicates that people stayed longer in the labour market despite impaired physical functioning, which may have repercussions on well-being and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harpa S. Eyjólfsdóttir
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Neda Agahi
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Johan Fritzell
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Carin Lennartsson
- Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, 171 65 Solna, Sweden ,Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Undem K, Leinonen T, Kristensen P, Merkus SL, Hasting RL, Gran JM, Mehlum IS. Gender Differences in Associations between Biomechanical and Psychosocial Work Exposures and Age of Withdrawal from Paid Employment among Older Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10563. [PMID: 36078277 PMCID: PMC9518318 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work exposures are known predictors of withdrawal from employment, but the associations between work exposures and withdrawal may vary with gender. This study evaluated gender differences in associations between biomechanical and psychosocial work exposures and age of withdrawal from paid employment among older workers in Norway. METHODS 77,558 men and 67,773 women (born 1949-1953) were followed from age 62 until withdrawal from paid employment or end of follow-up in 2016 (up to five years follow-up). Information about eight biomechanical and seven psychosocial exposures was obtained from a gender-specific job exposure matrix. Using Cox regression, the difference in mean estimated time until withdrawal between non-exposed and exposed was calculated for each gender and work exposure separately. RESULTS The largest gender difference was found for high psychological demands. Among men, the non-exposed withdrew earlier than the exposed (-3.66 months (95% CI: -4.04--3.25 months)), and contrary among women (0.71 (0.28-1.10)), resulting in a gender difference of 4.37 (3.81-4.97) months. Gender differences were also found for monotonous work (4.12 (3.51-4.69) months), hands above shoulder height (2.41 (1.76-3.10) months), and high iso-strain (2.14 (1.38-2.95) months). CONCLUSIONS There were observed gender differences in the associations between some biomechanical and psychosocial work exposures and mean age of withdrawal from paid employment among older workers. However, the results are likely affected by the selection of who remains in the workforce at age 62 and should be interpreted accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Undem
- National Institute of Occupational Health, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Taina Leinonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00250 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Jon Michael Gran
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basal Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid S Mehlum
- National Institute of Occupational Health, 0363 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
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15
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Sundstrup E, Meng A, Ajslev JZN, Albertsen K, Pedersen F, Andersen LL. New Technology and Loss of Paid Employment among Older Workers: Prospective Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127168. [PMID: 35742416 PMCID: PMC9222591 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigates the association between the implementation of new technology in the workplace and the subsequent loss of paid employment among older workers. METHODS We estimated the prospective risk of loss of paid employment (register-based) from questions on new technology among 10,320 older workers (≥50 years). To investigate potential differences between work types, analyses were stratified by job function: (1) work with symbols (office, administration, analysis, IT), (2) work with people (people, service, care), (3) work in the field of production (processing, producing or moving things). RESULTS The introduction of new technology at the workplace reduced the risk of losing paid employment among older workers working with symbols (risk ratio [RR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.72-0.76) and in the field of production (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.80-0.85), whereas new technology increased this risk among those working with people (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.19-1.26). Being involved in the introduction of new technology and receiving adequate training in its use decreased the risk of loss of paid employment. CONCLUSIONS Depending on the context, the introduction of new technology at work associates positively as well as negatively with future labour market participation among older workers. Worker involvement and adequate training in the use of new technology seem to be important for retaining workers in the labour market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Sundstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.M.); (J.Z.N.A.); (L.L.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Annette Meng
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.M.); (J.Z.N.A.); (L.L.A.)
| | - Jeppe Z. N. Ajslev
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.M.); (J.Z.N.A.); (L.L.A.)
| | | | | | - Lars L. Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.M.); (J.Z.N.A.); (L.L.A.)
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16
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Gupta N, Rasmussen CL, Hartvigsen J, Mortensen OS, Clays E, Bültmann U, Holtermann A. Physical Activity Advice for Prevention and Rehabilitation of Low Back Pain- Same or Different? A Study on Device-Measured Physical Activity and Register-Based Sickness Absence. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2022; 32:284-294. [PMID: 34626301 PMCID: PMC9232440 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-021-10005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Purpose We lack knowledge on whether the advice of "being physically active" should be the same for prevention and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). Sickness absence is a key outcome for LBP prevention and rehabilitation. We investigated the associations between physical activity and long-term sickness absence (LTSA) among employees with and without LBP. Methods Between 2011 and 2013, 925 Danish employees wore a Actigraph GTX3 accelerometer for 1-5 workdays to measure physical activity and reported LBP in past 7 days. Employees were followed for 4 years to determine their first register-based LTSA event (≥ 6 consecutive weeks). Results Among employees with LBP, increasing moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity at work by 20 min and decreasing the remaining behaviors at work (ie., sitting, standing and light-intensity activity) by 20 min was associated with 38% (95% CI 17%; 63%) higher LTSA risk. Increasing light-intensity activity at work by 20 min and decreasing 20 min from the remaining behaviors was associated with 18% (95% CI 4%; 30%) lower risk. During leisure, increasing moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity by 20 min or standing by 40 min was associated with 26% (95% CI 3%; 43%) lower and 37% (95% CI 0%; 87%) higher risk, respectively. Among employees without LBP, we found no such associations. Conclusions The physical activity advice ought to be different for LBP prevention and rehabilitation to reduce LTSA risk, and specified by domain and activity intensity. At work, employees with LBP should be advised to spend time on light-intensity physical activity and limit their time on moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. During leisure, employees should spend time on moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Gupta
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lerso Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Charlotte Lund Rasmussen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lerso Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Hartvigsen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Chiropractic Knowledge Hub, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ole Steen Mortensen
- Department of Occupational- and Social Medicine, Holbæk Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Holbæk, Denmark
| | - Els Clays
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ute Bültmann
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Holtermann
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lerso Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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17
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Lallukka T, Shiri R, Alexanderson K, Ervasti J, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Virtanen M. Sickness absence and disability pension after carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis: A register-based study of patients and matched references in Sweden. Scand J Public Health 2022; 50:471-481. [PMID: 33845698 PMCID: PMC9152599 DOI: 10.1177/14034948211002729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to examine sickness absence and disability pension (SA/DP) during working lifespan among individuals diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and their matched references, accounting for sociodemographic factors. Methods: We used a register cohort of 78,040 individuals aged 19-60 years when diagnosed with CTS in secondary health care (hospitals and outpatient specialist health care) and their 390,199 matched references from the general population in 2001-2010. Sociodemographic factors and SA/DP net days during a three-year follow-up were included. Negative binomial regression was used. Results: For those not on DP at inclusion, the average number of SA/DP days per person-year was 58 days (95% confidence interval (CI) 56-60 days) among individuals with CTS and 20 days (95% CI 19-21 days) among the matched references. Among both groups, these numbers increased with age and were higher among women than among men. The rate ratio (RR) of SA/DP days was threefold higher among people with CTS than among the matched references (adjusted RR=3.00, 95% CI 2.91-3.10) Moreover, compared to the matched references, the RR for SA/DP was higher among men with CTS (RR=3.86, 95% CI 3.61-4.13) than among women with CTS (RR=2.69, 95% CI 2.59-2.78). The association between CTS and the number of SA/DP days was smaller among older age groups. Sociodemographic factors were similarly associated with SA/DP among people with and without CTS. Conclusions: Numbers of SA/DP days were higher among people with CTS than their matched references in all age groups, particularly among individuals in their early work careers, highlighting public-health relevance of the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Lallukka
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience,
Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- Finnish Institute of Occupational
Health, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University
of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rahman Shiri
- Finnish Institute of Occupational
Health, Finland
| | - Kristina Alexanderson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience,
Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | | | | | - Marianna Virtanen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience,
Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- School of Educational Sciences and
Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm
University, Sweden
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18
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d'Errico A, Falkstedt D, Almroth M, Badarin K, Hemmingsson T, Kjellberg K. Long-term sick leave for back pain, exposure to physical workload and psychosocial factors at work, and risk of disability and early-age retirement among aged Swedish workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1521-1535. [PMID: 35451628 PMCID: PMC9424129 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01862-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To assess the risk of disability and early-age retirement associated with previous long-term sickness absence for back pain (back-pain SA), exposure to high physical workload, low job control, high demands and high strain, and to evaluate effect modification by work factors on the relationship between back-pain SA and premature retirement. Methods All employed Swedish residents born 1946–1955 (n = 835,956) were followed up from 2010 to 2016 for disability (DP) and early-age pension (EAP). Associations of premature retirement with exposure to work factors and back-pain SA in the 3 years before follow-up were estimated through proportional hazards models. Retirement, back-pain SA and covariates were assessed through administrative sources, and exposure to work factors through a job-exposure matrix. Results In both genders, back-pain SA was associated with DP (> 1 episode: HR 3.23 among men; HR 3.12 among women) and EAP (> 1 episode: HR 1.24 among men; HR 1.18 among women). Higher physical workload and lower job control were also associated with an increased DP risk in both genders, whereas higher job demands showed a decreased risk. For EAP, associations with work factors were weak and inconsistent across genders. No effect modification by work factors was found, except for a negative effect modification by job strain on DP risk among women, i.e. a reduced effect of back-pain SA with increasing exposure. Conclusion Back-pain SA was a significant predictor of both DP and EAP, while work factors were consistently associated only with DP. Our results indicate that the joint effect of back-pain SA and work factors on DP is additive and does not support effect modification by work factors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00420-022-01862-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo d'Errico
- Department of Epidemiology, Local Health Unit ASL TO 3, Via Sabaudia 164, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy.
| | - Daniel Falkstedt
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Melody Almroth
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kathryn Badarin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Hemmingsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katarina Kjellberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Babnik K, Staresinic C, Lep Ž. Some of the workforce face post COVID after the acute phase of the illness: The employer’s supportive role. HUMAN SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.3233/hsm-220003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A considerable proportion of workers that recover from an acute phase of COVID-19 are confronted with post COVID-19 symptoms of varying severity and duration. Employers have an important role in addressing this new condition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review organisational practises that could help employees suffering from long COVID-19 return to work and to link these suggestions to theoretical frameworks from the field of work and organisational psychology. METHODS: Since scientific publications on post COVID-19 are published daily, but sound empirical studies are still scarce, the synthesis of the scientific and professional literature was performed in the form of a narrative review. RESULTS: The results were organised according to the healthy workplace model and explained through the lens of the job demands-resources theory. The role of the employer has three aspects: collaboration, instructional pillars, and key actors. The main guidelines for implementation of the policies are an individualised approach, flexibility, and support. Supportive policies, practises, and relationships might have a direct impact on workers’ psychological resources. CONCLUSIONS: The model could help employers understand the conditions and necessary adaptations for workers with post COVID-19, as well as advance research in work and organisational psychology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Babnik
- Department of Psychology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Claire Staresinic
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Žan Lep
- Department of Psychology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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20
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OUP accepted manuscript. Ann Work Expo Health 2022; 66:863-877. [DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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21
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Falkstedt D, Hemmingsson T, Albin M, Bodin T, Ahlbom A, Selander J, Gustavsson P, Andersson T, Almroth M, Kjellberg K. Disability pensions related to heavy physical workload: a cohort study of middle-aged and older workers in Sweden. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 94:1851-1861. [PMID: 33880628 PMCID: PMC8490214 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01697-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to examine the associations between heavy physical workload among middle-aged and older workers and disability pension due to any diagnosis, as well as musculoskeletal, psychiatric, cardiovascular or respiratory diagnoses. The population-based design made it possible to examine dose-response and potential gender differences in the associations. METHODS About 1.8 million men and women aged 44-63 years and registered as living in Sweden in 2005 were followed regarding disability pension during 2006-2016, until ages 55-65 years. Mean values of physical workload and job control, estimated through gender-specific job-exposure matrices (JEMs), were assigned to individuals through their occupational titles in 2005. Exposure values were ranked separately for women and men and divided into quintiles. Associations were analyzed with Cox proportional-hazards regression. RESULTS The analyses showed robust, dose-response associations between physical workload and disability pension with a musculoskeletal diagnosis in both genders: the adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for those with the heaviest exposure was 2.58 (2.37-2.81) in women and 3.34 (2.83-3.94) in men. Dose-response associations were also seen in relation to disability pension with a cardiovascular or a respiratory diagnosis, though the hazard ratios were smaller. Physical workload was not associated with disability pension with a psychiatric diagnosis after adjustment for job control. CONCLUSION This study of the entire Swedish population of middle-aged and older workers suggests that higher degrees of physical workload may increase the risk of disability pension overall, and specifically with musculoskeletal, cardiovascular or respiratory diagnosis, in both women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Falkstedt
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tomas Hemmingsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Theo Bodin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Ahlbom
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenny Selander
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Gustavsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Andersson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Melody Almroth
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katarina Kjellberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Seil K, Yu S, Brackbill R, Alper H, Maqsood J. Effects of 9/11-related injury on retirement patterns among World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees. Am J Ind Med 2021; 64:873-880. [PMID: 34467532 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many survivors of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks in New York City sustained injuries. The aim of this study was to understand how 9/11-related injuries affected retirement patterns of World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees. METHODS The study included enrollees who participated in the 2017 Health & Quality of Life Survey, focused on 9/11-related injuries and quality of life, and the 2017-2018 Health & Employment Survey, focused on retirement and employment (N = 3535). Using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression modeling, we calculated the risk of retiring at earlier ages and the odds of retirees working again, controlling for relevant covariates. RESULTS Results showed that 9/11-related injuries did affect retirement patterns. Injured enrollees were at greater risk of retiring at younger age compared to non-injured enrollees. Compared to more severely injured retirees, non-injured and less severely injured retirees were significantly more likely to work again postretirement. Our results suggested that being injured on 9/11 was associated with retirement, meaning that if the injury had not occurred, the individual may have continued working longer. CONCLUSIONS The need to retire earlier than planned could be addressed with employer and societal changes. Employers should consider making accommodations for those impacted by 9/11 a priority, as it is imperative for those who were injured on 9/11 to have the ability to work to support their physical, mental, and financial well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacie Seil
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene World Trade Center Health Registry Long Island City New York USA
| | - Shengchao Yu
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene World Trade Center Health Registry Long Island City New York USA
| | - Robert Brackbill
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene World Trade Center Health Registry Long Island City New York USA
| | - Howard Alper
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene World Trade Center Health Registry Long Island City New York USA
| | - Junaid Maqsood
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene World Trade Center Health Registry Long Island City New York USA
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Freitas PPD, Lopes MS, Assunção AÁ, Lopes ACS. Health and work in Brazil: physical and psychosocial demands. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2021; 37:e00129420. [PMID: 34586164 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00129420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to describe the prevalence and factors associated of physical and psychosocial demands among Brazilian workers. Data were obtained from the 2013 Brazilian National Health Survey. Physical demand was defined as jobs that require intense physical effort or excessive walking, whereas psychosocial demand was defined as involvement in stressful activities. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association between demands and health conditions, occupational characteristics, and work conditions. Out of 39,590 participants, 54.4% reported physical demands and 35.5% psychosocial demands at work. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, occupational characteristics, and work conditions remained significantly associated with physical or psychosocial workload. The results suggest that in Brazil the work has a high level of physical and psychosocial demands, which are associated with occupational features and health conditions. It is necessary to incorporate work activities as significant factors to investigate the causes of diseases. And the interventions and policies aimed at preventing the negative occupational exposures are urgent, and can contribute to improve physical and psychosocial health at the workplace.
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Importance of the Working Environment for Early Retirement: Prospective Cohort Study with Register Follow-Up. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189817. [PMID: 34574740 PMCID: PMC8472036 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: This study investigates the role of physical work demands and psychosocial work factors for early retirement among older workers. Methods: Data from three Danish surveys on work environment and health among employed older workers (age 55–59) were merged with a national register containing information on labour market participation. Robust Poisson regression modelled the risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between physical and psychosocial work factors and early retirement, that is, not working after the age of 64. Results: Of the 2800 workers, 53% retired early. High physical work demands (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.19–1.48), poor overall psychosocial working conditions (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.26–1.61), and access to early retirement benefits (RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.53–2.10) predicted early retirement. Subgroup analyses revealed that poor overall psychosocial working conditions were a stronger predictor for early retirement among workers with seated jobs than those with physically active jobs. Conclusions: High physical work demands and poor psychosocial working conditions are factors that can push older workers out of the labour market prematurely. Poor psychosocial working conditions seem to be a particularly strong push factor among workers with seated work.
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25
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Bláfoss R, Vinstrup J, Skovlund SV, López-Bueno R, Calatayud J, Clausen T, Andersen LL. Musculoskeletal pain intensity in different body regions and risk of disability pension among female eldercare workers: prospective cohort study with 11-year register follow-up. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2021; 22:771. [PMID: 34507585 PMCID: PMC8431848 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04655-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Musculoskeletal pain is a risk factor for leaving the labour market temporarily and permanently. While the presence of multi-site pain increases the risk of disability pension, we lack detailed knowledge about pain intensity as a risk factor. This study investigated the association between musculoskeletal pain intensity in different body regions and risk of future disability pension among eldercare workers. Methods Eight thousand seven hundred thirty-one female eldercare workers replied to a questionnaire on work and health in 2005 and were followed for 11 years in the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalization. Time-to-event analyses estimated hazard ratios (HR) for disability pension from pain intensities (0–9 numeric rating scale (NRS)) in the low-back, neck/shoulders, and knees during the previous 3 months. Analyses were mutually adjusted for pain regions, age, education, lifestyle, psychosocial work factors, and physical exertion at work. Results During 11-year follow-up, 1035 (11.9%) of the eldercare workers received disability pension. For all body regions among all eldercare workers, dose-response associations were observed between higher pain intensity and risk of disability pension (p < 0.001). The risk for disability pension was increased when reporting “very high” pain levels (≥7 points on the 0–9 NRS) in the low-back (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.70–2.82), neck/shoulders (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.88–2.92), and knees (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.44–2.47). Population attributable risks (PAR) were 15.5, 23.2, and 9.6% for pain > 2 on NRS in the low-back, neck/shoulders, and knees, respectively, indicating that 15.5, 23.2, and 9.6% fewer eldercare workers would likely receive disability pension if the pain intensity was reduced to 2 or less. For workers ≤45 years and > 45 years, PAR was highest for neck/shoulder pain (27.6%) and low-back pain (18.8%), respectively. Conclusions The present study found positive dose-response associations between pain intensity in the low-back, neck/shoulders, and knees, and risk of disability pension during 11-year follow-up. Moderate to very high levels of musculoskeletal pain in eldercare workers should, therefore, be considered an early warning sign of involuntary premature exit from the labour market. These findings underscore the importance of preventing, managing, and reducing musculoskeletal pain to ensure a long and healthy working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rúni Bláfoss
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Research Unit for Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Jonas Vinstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Venge Skovlund
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Research Unit for Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rubén López-Bueno
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Physical Medicine and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joaquin Calatayud
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Thomas Clausen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Louis Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Sport Sciences, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Brandt M, Wilstrup NM, Jakobsen MD, Van Eerd D, Andersen LL, Ajslev JZN. Engaging Occupational Safety and Health Professionals in Bridging Research and Practice: Evaluation of a Participatory Workshop Program in the Danish Construction Industry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168498. [PMID: 34444248 PMCID: PMC8393704 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Engaging occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals has scarcely been evaluated as a means for transferring knowledge to practice about physical workload in the construction industry. The aim of this work was to examine how participants used and incorporate research-based knowledge from a three-day training course into practice. Twenty OSH professionals from the Danish construction industry participated in a workshop-training course. Researchers presented new knowledge and results about physically demanding work. The participants selected which themes they wanted to work with and developed an action plan. Evaluation was done using surveys and phone interviews. Analysis was based on how the OSH-professionals describe themselves, organizations, and the construction industry. Participant’s average scores on the level of implementation of their chosen action plans were 3 (on a response scale from 1–5, where 1 is ‘to a very low degree’ and 5 is ‘to a very high degree’) immediately after the workshop program and 2.5 at follow-up. Qualitative evaluations showed that actions had been initiated, and some progress had been made. The participants were satisfied with the workshop course and the possibility to increase their knowledge through inputs from researchers and colleges and strongly believe that they would succeed with implementing their action plans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikkel Brandt
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (N.M.W.); (M.D.J.); (L.L.A.); (J.Z.N.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ninna Maria Wilstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (N.M.W.); (M.D.J.); (L.L.A.); (J.Z.N.A.)
| | - Markus D. Jakobsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (N.M.W.); (M.D.J.); (L.L.A.); (J.Z.N.A.)
| | | | - Lars L. Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (N.M.W.); (M.D.J.); (L.L.A.); (J.Z.N.A.)
- Sport Sciences—Performance and Technology, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, DK-9100 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Z. N. Ajslev
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (N.M.W.); (M.D.J.); (L.L.A.); (J.Z.N.A.)
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Andersen LL, Jensen PH, Sundstrup E. Barriers and opportunities for prolonging working life across different occupational groups: the SeniorWorkingLife study. Eur J Public Health 2021; 30:241-246. [PMID: 31504459 PMCID: PMC7183363 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing retirement age is a pivotal issue in labour market reforms. This study analyses factors conditioning retirement intentions. Methods In SeniorWorkingLife, 11 444 employed workers ≥50 years replied to questions in random order about expected reasons for leaving and potential reasons for staying longer at the labour market. Respondents were stratified based on the Danish version of International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO). Representative estimates were produced using the SurveyFreq and SurveyLogistic procedures of SAS combined with model-assisted weights based on national registers. Results For ISCO groups 1–4 (seated work) main expected reasons for retiring were freedom to choose and desire for more leisure time, but many would consider staying longer if there were better possibilities for additional senior days, longer vacations and flexible working hours. For ISCO groups 5–9 (physical work), poor physical health and not being capable of doing the job were common expected reasons for retiring, but many would consider staying longer if the work were less physically demanding and there were more senior days. Possibility for pension was a general expected reason for retiring. Expected reasons differed to a less extent between genders than between ISCO groups, e.g. economic factors were more important for men and high work demands more important for women. Conclusion Different barriers and opportunities for prolonging working life exist across different occupational groups of the labour market—with most consistent differences between those with seated and physical work. Targeting these specifically seems opportune for policy makers and future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars L Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per H Jensen
- Centre for Comparative Welfare Studies, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Emil Sundstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Krutova O, Koistinen P, Turja T, Melin H, Särkikoski T. Two sides, but not of the same coin: digitalization, productivity and unemployment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/ijppm-05-2020-0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThis paper aims to examine how input from the digital restructuring of the workplace and productivity affects the risk of job loss and unemployment.Design/methodology/approachRelying on the concepts of technological unemployment and the productivity paradox as well as the theory of skills-biased technological change, the analysis incorporated micro-level individual determinants of job loss, macro-level economic determinants of input and the contribution from traditional (machinery and equipment) vs innovative (ICT) factors of production. The model has been also controlled for “traditional” indicators of “outsiderness” in the labour market. The Quality of Work Life Survey, which is a broad-based national interview survey produced by Statistics Finland, for 2018, the latest year available (N = 4,110) has been used in the analysis. Binomial logistic regression has been applied in order to estimate the effects of individual- and macro-level factors on the risk of job loss.FindingsThe results support arguments for the divergence between effects from labour- vs total-factor productivity on the risks of job loss, as well as the divergence between effects for temporary (layoff) vs permanent job loss (dismissal or unemployment). While the contribution from “traditional” factors of production to labour productivity potentially decreases the risk of permanent job loss, input from “innovative” factors of production on total-factor productivity potentially causes adverse effects (e.g. growing risks of permanent job loss).Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the theoretical discussion about technological unemployment and productivity by means of including two different concepts into a single econometric model, thus enabling examination of the research problem in an innovative way.
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29
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Shiri R, Hiilamo A, Lallukka T. Indicators and determinants of the years of working life lost: a narrative review. Scand J Public Health 2021; 49:666-674. [PMID: 33645306 PMCID: PMC8512267 DOI: 10.1177/1403494821993669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This narrative review summarizes the available indicators for working life
expectancy and years of working life lost (YWLL) and their determinants. Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase databases from their inception until August
2020 and screened all studies proposing an indicator for working life
expectancy or YWLL. We also reviewed studies focusing on sociodemographic,
lifestyle and work-related determinants of working life expectancy and YWLL.
The results were synthesized narratively. Results: We identified 13 different indicators for the length of working life or YWLL.
The most frequently used indicators were ‘working life expectancy’, ‘healthy
working life expectancy’, and YWLL. Working life expectancy and healthy
working life expectancy are longer for men than women. Working life
expectancy at the age of 50 has been increasing since the mid-90s, and the
increase has been larger for women, reducing the sex difference. Working
life is shorter for people with a low level of education, in lower
occupational classes, for people exposed to high physical work demands,
those living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas, people with
overweight or obesity, smokers, people who are inactive during leisure time
and in people with a chronic health problem. Conclusions: Despite increasing interest in understanding the determinants of YWLL,
only a few studies have simultaneously considered multiple exit routes
from the labour market. We propose a new measure for total YWLL
considering all relevant exit routes from employment. This comprehensive
measure can be used to assess the effect of given policy changes on
prolonging working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahman Shiri
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aapo Hiilamo
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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30
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Shiri R, Hiilamo A, Rahkonen O, Robroek SJW, Pietiläinen O, Lallukka T. Predictors of working days lost due to sickness absence and disability pension. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 94:843-854. [PMID: 33433695 PMCID: PMC8238732 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-020-01630-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective To identify social and health-related predictors of the number of days lost due to sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) among initially 55-year-old public-sector workers. Methods The data from the Finnish Helsinki Health Study included participants aged 55 years at the baseline (in 2000–2002, N = 1630, 81% women), and were enriched with register-based information on SA and DP. The cumulative number of calendar days lost due to SA ≥ 1 day or DP between ages 55 and 65 was calculated. Negative binomial regression model was used to identify the predictors of days lost. Results The average calendar days lost was 316 days (about 220 working days) during a 10-year follow-up, and 44% were due to SA and 56% due to DP. Smoking [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.40 for past and IRR = 1.30, CI 1.07–1.58 for current], binge drinking (IRR = 1.22, CI 1.02–1.46), lifting or pulling/pushing heavy loads (IRR = 1.35, CI 1.10–1.65), awkward working positions (IRR = 1.24, CI 1.01–1.53), long-standing illness limiting work or daily activities (IRR = 2.32, CI 1.93–2.79), common mental disorder (IRR = 1.52, CI 1.30–1.79), and multisite pain (IRR = 1.50, CI 1.23–1.84) increased the number of days lost, while high level of education (IRR = 0.66, CI 0.52–0.82) and moderate level of leisure-time physical activity (IRR = 0.80, CI 0.67–0.94) reduced the number of days lost. Conclusions Modifiable lifestyle risk factors, workload factors, common mental disorder, and multisite pain substantially increase the number of days lost. However, the findings of this study could be generalized to female workers in the public sector. Future research should also consider shorter SA spells in estimating working years lost and working life expectancy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00420-020-01630-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahman Shiri
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Työterveyslaitos, P.O. Box 18, 00032, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Aapo Hiilamo
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Työterveyslaitos, P.O. Box 18, 00032, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ossi Rahkonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suzan J W Robroek
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Työterveyslaitos, P.O. Box 18, 00032, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Batista RL, Teixeira KMD. O cenário do mercado de trabalho para idosos e a violência sofrida. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GERIATRIA E GERONTOLOGIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1981-22562020024.210022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Resumo Objetivo analisar sistematicamente as publicações referentes ao cenário do mercado de trabalho para idosos e às situações de violência enfrentadas pelos idosos ativos. Método foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura nas bases de dados Web of Science, Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online) PubMed e Science Direct. Resultados foram encontrados 19 trabalhos, 89,4% dos casos de origem internacional, sendo 52,6% com abordagem quantitativa; 31,5%, qualitativa; e, 15,7%, mista. As áreas do conhecimento que concentraram a maioria dos estudos foram saúde, psicologia e gerontologia com 15,7%, sendo a maior parte dos estudos publicados nos anos de 2019, com 31,5% e 26,3% de recorrências respectivamente. Conclusão os estudos evidenciaram que os idosos encontram dificuldades de se manterem no mercado de trabalho pelas inadequações do local de trabalho e pela condição de saúde do idoso. Por outro lado, existem iniciativas governamentais que visam melhorar as condições de trabalho dos longevos, sendo a presença do idoso benéfica para sua saúde e também para o mercado. Em relação à violência sofrida no trabalho, os estudos são escassos, e os existentes destacam as dificuldades de entrada e permanência dos longevos no mercado em detrimento do ageismo e dos estereótipos ligados ao envelhecimento. Finalmente, com o envelhecimento da população considera-se importante pensar políticas públicas que proporcionem ao idoso condições adequadas de se manter ativo com a proteção de sua saúde e qualidade de vida.
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Bláfoss R, Skovlund SV, López-Bueno R, Calatayud J, Sundstrup E, Andersen LL. Is hard physical work in the early working life associated with back pain later in life? A cross-sectional study among 5700 older workers. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e040158. [PMID: 33293310 PMCID: PMC7722822 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Physically demanding work increases the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders during working life, with low back pain (LBP) as the most prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal disorder worldwide. However, a lack of knowledge exists about the role of early working years on musculoskeletal health later in life. This study investigated whether an exposure-response association exists between physical demands in early working life and risk of LBP in later working life. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND OUTCOME MEASURE In the SeniorWorkingLife study, 5909 wage earners aged ≥50 years with currently sedentary work replied to a questionnaire survey in 2018 about physical work demands during their first working years (exposure) and current LBP (outcome). Associations between physical work demands in the early working years and current LBP were modelled using general linear models controlling for various confounders, combined with model-assisted weights based on national registers. RESULTS Hard physical work during early working life was associated with more intense LBP later in life among senior workers with currently sedentary jobs. In the fully adjusted model, workers with 'standing/walking work with lifting/carrying' and 'heavy or fast work that is physically strenuous' during the first years of working life reported higher LBP intensity than those with sedentary work during their first working years (0.2 (95% CI, 0.0 to 0.4) and 0.6 (95% CI, 0.4 to 0.9), respectively). CONCLUSION Work involving lifting/carrying or work that is physically strenuous in early life is associated with higher intensity of LBP among older workers with currently sedentary employment. These findings suggest that early working life may have an impact on later working years and underscore the necessity for careful introduction and instruction to the working environment for retaining musculoskeletal health and prolonging working life. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03634410.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rúni Bláfoss
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Research Unit for Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Venge Skovlund
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rubén López-Bueno
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Physical Medicine and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joaquin Calatayud
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Emil Sundstrup
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars L Andersen
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Sport Sciences, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Towards Sustainable Human Resources: How Generational Differences Impact Subjective Wellbeing in the Military? SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su122310016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The article analyzes the generational (age cohorts) effect on subjective wellbeing at work. The main aim is to reveal generational differences that lead to subjective wellbeing at work and possible discrepancies between the generations. The article contributes to the literature by creating and testing a theoretical model of subjective wellbeing at work as a composition of several dimensions that vary among generations, including physical experience, cognitive job performance, and appraisal, as well as social relationships and socio-emotional enablement at work. Using the military as an organization where daily routine creates similar conditions for different generations, we surveyed 890 army professionals representing three different generations: Gen Y, Gen X, and Gen Z. A structural equation modelling (SEM) technique is used to test the research model. The results support the hypothesis that generation has a strong moderating impact on the components of subjective wellbeing at work. Social relationship, as a socio-emotional experience, is the most important component of wellbeing at work for Gen Z, while socio-emotional enablement plays a central role in subjective wellbeing at work for Gen X and Gen Y.
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Work limitations due to neck-shoulder pain and physical work demands in older workers: cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2020; 94:433-440. [PMID: 33106931 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-020-01594-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many older workers are working despite having neck-shoulder pain (NSP), which may give rise to work limitations due to pain, especially among those with high physical work demands. This study investigated the joint association of neck-shoulder pain intensity and physical work demands with work limitations among older workers. METHODS In SeniorWorkingLife, workers ≥ 50 years (n = 11,800) replied to questions about NSP intensity, work limitations due to pain, and physical activity demands at work. The odds ratio for having a higher level of work limitations due to pain in relation to neck-shoulder pain intensity and physical work demands were modeled using logistic regression controlled for various confounders. RESULTS The results showed that the neck-shoulder pain intensity was associated with work limitations in a dose-response fashion (p < 0.0001). Importantly, a significant interaction existed between neck-shoulder pain intensity and physical activity at work (p < 0.0001), e.g., 77% of workers with high pain and high work demands experienced work limitations due to the pain. CONCLUSION Higher neck-shoulder pain intensity and higher physical work demands-and particularly in combination-were associated with higher odds of work limitation due to pain among older workers. Thus, it seems especially important to accommodate work demands through a better work environment for these groups of workers.
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Bláfoss R, Sundstrup E, Jakobsen MD, Brandt M, Bay H, Andersen LL. Physical workload and bodily fatigue after work: cross-sectional study among 5000 workers. Eur J Public Health 2020; 29:837-842. [PMID: 30982881 PMCID: PMC6761836 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Persistent bodily fatigue after working days may indicate an imbalance between work demands and capacity of the workers. This study aimed to investigate associations between physical exposures at work and bodily fatigue after work. Methods Danish workers with physical work (N=5377) answered questions about various physical exposures during work and bodily fatigue after work in the 2010 round of the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study. Associations were modeled using binary logistic regression controlled for various confounders. Results Mean age among the younger (<50 years) and older (≥50 years) workers was 36 and 56 years, respectively. Younger and older workers exposed to various physical exposures (e.g. ‘bending/twisting the back’) for more than a quarter of the workday were more fatigued after work. An exposure–response relationship was observed between the number of physical exposures and bodily fatigue, with odds ratios (OR) for fatigue in the body among younger workers being 1.01 (95%CI 0.63–1.63), 1.59 (95%CI 1.01–2.50), 2.37 (95%CI 1.54–3.66) and 2.84 (95%CI 1.85–5.36) for 1, 2, 3 and ≥4 types of combined physical exposures, respectively. Correspondingly, for older workers, ORs were 1.95 (95%CI 1.09–3.51), 4.06 (95%CI 2.32–7.12), 4.10 (95%CI 2.28–7.37) and 4.90 (95%CI 2.72–8.82) for 1, 2, 3 and ≥4 exposures, respectively. Conclusion While some of the single factor exposures were associated with increased bodily fatigue, the most marked associations were found when summing the number of different exposures. These results indicate that workplaces should focus on the sum of combined physical exposures rather than focusing solely on single exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rúni Bláfoss
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emil Sundstrup
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Markus D Jakobsen
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Brandt
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Bay
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars L Andersen
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Sport Sciences, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Sundstrup E, Hansen ÅM, Mortensen EL, Poulsen OM, Clausen T, Rugulies R, Møller A, Andersen LL. Cognitive Ability in Midlife and Labor Market Participation Among Older Workers: Prospective Cohort Study With Register Follow-up. Saf Health Work 2020; 11:291-300. [PMID: 32995054 PMCID: PMC7502611 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The study aimed to determine the association of individual cognitive ability in late midlife with labor market participation among older workers. Methods This prospective cohort study estimates the risk of long-term sickness absence, disability pension, early retirement, and unemployment from scores on the Intelligenz-Struktur-Test 2000R by combining data from 5076 workers from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank with a register on social transfer payments. Analyses were stepwise adjusted for age, gender, physical and psychosocial work environment, health behaviors, occupational social class, education, and chronic diseases. Results In the fully adjusted model, low cognitive ability (≥1 standard deviation below the mean for each gender) and high cognitive ability (≥1 standard deviation above the mean for each gender) were not associated with risk of any of the four labor market outcomes. Conclusion Individual cognitive ability in late midlife was not associated with risk of long-term sickness absence, disability pension, early retirement, and unemployment in the fully adjusted model. Thus, no direct effect of individual cognitive ability in late midlife was observed on the risk of permanently or temporarily leaving the labor market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Sundstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Corresponding author. National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Åse M. Hansen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik L. Mortensen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Otto M. Poulsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Clausen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Reiner Rugulies
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Møller
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Copenhagen University Holbæk, Denmark
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars L. Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Sport Sciences, Department of Health Science and Technology Aalborg University, Denmark
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Nygaard PP, Skovlund SV, Sundstrup E, Andersen LL. Is low-back pain a limiting factor for senior workers with high physical work demands? A cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020; 21:622. [PMID: 32958013 PMCID: PMC7507239 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-020-03643-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent among senior workers and may affect work ability, especially among those with hard physical work. This study determined the joint association of LBP intensity and physical work demands with work limitiations due to pain in senior workers. METHODS In the SeniorWorkingLife study (2018), 11,738 senior workers (≥50 years) replied to questions about physical work demands, LBP intensity, and work limitations due to pain. Using logistic regression analyses and controlling for potential confounders, associations between the physical work demands and LBP intensity (interaction) with work limitiations due to pain (outcome) was modeled. RESULTS Higher LBP intensity, as well as higher physical work demands, significantly increased the odds of experiencing work limitiations due to pain, and these two factors interacted with each other (p < 0.0001). In analyses stratified for LBP intensity, higher physical work demands gradually increased the odds of experiencing work limitiations due to pain. CONCLUSIONS Senior workers with a combination of physically demanding work and LBP are more affected by their pain during everyday work tasks compared to workers with similar LBP-intensity in sedentary occupations. Accommodation of work demands seems especially relevant for this group of workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Pascal Nygaard
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Sebastian Venge Skovlund
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emil Sundstrup
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Louis Andersen
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Sport Sciences, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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d'Errico A, Burr H, Pattloch D, Kersten N, Rose U. Working conditions as risk factors for early exit from work-in a cohort of 2351 employees in Germany. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2020; 94:117-138. [PMID: 32929527 PMCID: PMC7826313 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-020-01566-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives We would assess the possible impact of a range of physical and psychosocial working conditions on early exit from paid employment (i.e., before retirement age) in a representative employee population in Germany. Methods We analysed a cohort from the German Study on Mental Health at Work (S-MGA) with a baseline of 2351 employees in 2011/12, sampled randomly from the register of integrated employment biographies (IEB) at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). Follow-up ended mid-2015. Early Exit comprised episodes of either pensioning, long-term sickness absence or unemployment ≥ 18 months. Total follow-up years were 8.422. Working conditions were partly assessed by the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ). Through Cox regressions, associations of baseline working conditions with time to event of exit were estimated—adjusting for baseline age, gender, poverty, fixed-term contract and socioeconomic position. Results In multiple regressions, awkward body postures (HR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.07–1.44), heavy lifting (1.17; 1.00–1.37) and high work pace (1.41; 1.16–1.72) were associated with exit. The estimated attributable fraction of exit for being exposed to less than optimal work environment was 25%. Regarding specific exit routes, repetitive movements (1.25; 1.03–1.53) increased the risk for the long-term sickness absence; work pace (1.86; 1.22–2.86) and role clarity (0.55; 0.31–1.00) were associated to unemployment; and control over working time (0.72; 0.56–0.95) decreased the risk of the early retirement. Conclusions Work environment seems to be important for subsequent early exit from work. Physical and psychosocial demands seem to be associated to exit to a stronger extent than resources at work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo d'Errico
- Department of Epidemiology, Local Health Unit TO 3, Turin, Italy
| | - Hermann Burr
- Department of Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Dagmar Pattloch
- Department of Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Kersten
- Department of Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Rose
- Department of Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Berlin, Germany
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Gupta N, Dencker-Larsen S, Lund Rasmussen C, McGregor D, Rasmussen CDN, Thorsen SV, Jørgensen MB, Chastin S, Holtermann A. The physical activity paradox revisited: a prospective study on compositional accelerometer data and long-term sickness absence. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020; 17:93. [PMID: 32690043 PMCID: PMC7370435 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-00988-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ‘physical activity paradox’ advocates that leisure physical activity (PA) promotes health while high occupational PA impairs health. However, this paradox can be explained by methodological limitations of the previous studies—self-reported PA measures, insufficient adjustment for socioeconomic confounding or not addressing the compositional nature of PA. Therefore, this study investigated if we still observe the PA paradox in relation to long-term sick absence (LTSA) after adjusting for the abovementioned limitations. Methods Time spent on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and remaining physical behaviors (sedentary behavior, standing, light PA and time in bed) at work and in leisure was measured for 929 workers using thigh accelerometry and expressed as isometric log-ratios (ilrs). LTSA was register-based first event of ≥6 consecutive weeks of sickness absence during 4-year follow-up. The association between ilrs and LTSA was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for remaining physical behaviors and potential confounders, then separately adjusting for and stratifying by education and type of work. Results During the follow-up, 21% of the workers experienced LTSA. In leisure, more relative MVPA time was negatively associated with LTSA (20% lower risk with 20 min more MVPA, p = 0.02). At work, more relative MVPA time was positively associated with LTSA (15% higher risk with 20 min more MVPA, p = 0.02). Results remained unchanged when further adjusted for or stratified by education and type of work. Conclusion These findings provide further support to the ‘PA paradox’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Gupta
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Sofie Dencker-Larsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.,Business Information & Analytics, Copenhagen Business School, Solbjerg Plads 3, DK-2000, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Lund Rasmussen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Section of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Duncan McGregor
- School of Health and Life Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, Scotland.,Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, JCMB, The King's Buildings, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Sannie Vester Thorsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Marie Birk Jørgensen
- Occupational Health and Safety, Department of Ergonomic and Technical Counselling, Municipality of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastien Chastin
- School of Health and Life Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, Scotland.,Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andreas Holtermann
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.,Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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40
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Sundstrup E, Andersen LL. Joint association of physical and psychosocial working conditions with risk of long-term sickness absence: Prospective cohort study with register follow-up. Scand J Public Health 2020; 49:132-140. [PMID: 32597327 DOI: 10.1177/1403494820936423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aims: The interplay between physical and psychosocial working conditions for the risk of developing poor health is not well understood. This study aimed to determine the joint association of physical and psychosocial working conditions with risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) in the general working population. Methods: Based on questionnaire responses about physical working conditions and psychosocial working conditions (influence at work, emotional demands, support from colleagues and support from managers) and two-year prospective follow-up in a national register on social transfer payments, we estimated the risk of incident LTSA of >30 days among 9544 employees without previous LTSA from the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study. The analyses were censored for all events of permanent labour market drop-out (retirement, disability pension, immigration or death) and controlled for potential confounders. Results: In the total cohort, more demanding physical working conditions were associated with risk of LTSA in a dose-response fashion (trend test, p<0.0001). The combination of poor overall psychosocial working conditions (index measure of influence at work, emotional demands, support from managers and support from colleagues) and hard physical working conditions showed the highest risk of LTSA. However, poor overall psychosocial working conditions did not interact with physical working conditions in the risk of LTSA (p=0.9677). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that workplaces should strive to improve both psychosocial and physical work factors in order to ensure the health of workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Sundstrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark
| | - Lars Louis Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark.,Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
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Andersen LL, Thorsen SV, Larsen M, Sundstrup E, Boot CR, Rugulies R. Work factors facilitating working beyond state pension age: Prospective cohort study with register follow-up. Scand J Work Environ Health 2020; 47:15-21. [PMID: 32463101 PMCID: PMC7801141 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.3904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The demographic changes in Europe underline the need for an extension of working lives. This study investigates the importance of physical work demands and psychosocial work factors for working beyond the state pension age (65 years). Methods: We combined data from three cohorts of the general working population in Denmark (DWECS 2005 and 2010, and DANES 2008), where actively employed workers aged 55–59 years replied to questionnaires about work environment and were followed until the age of 66 years in the Danish AMRun register of paid employment. Using logistic regression analyses, we calculated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between physical and psychosocial work factors and working beyond state pension age, adjusted for age, sex, cohort, cohabiting, sector, income, vocational education, working hours, lifestyle, and previous sickness absence. Results: Of the 2884 workers aged 55–59 years, 1023 (35.5%) worked beyond the state pension age. Higher physical work demands was associated with a lower likelihood (PR 0.69, 95% CI 0.58–0.82) and a good psychosocial work environment was associated with higher likelihood (average of 7 items: PR 1.81, 95% CI 1.49–2.20) of working beyond state pension age. Stratified analyses did not change the overall pattern, ie, a good overall psychosocial work environment – as well as several specific psychosocial factors – increased the likelihood of working beyond state pension age, both for those with physically active and seated work. Conclusion: While high physical work demands was a barrier, a good psychosocial work environment seems to facilitate working beyond state pension age, also for those with physically active work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars L Andersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Flachs EM, Petersen SEB, Kolstad HA, Schlünssen V, Svendsen SW, Hansen J, Budtz-Jørgensen E, Andersen JH, Madsen IEH, Bonde JPE. Cohort Profile: DOC*X: a nationwide Danish occupational cohort with eXposure data - an open research resource. Int J Epidemiol 2020; 48:1413-1413k. [PMID: 31730707 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Esben Meulengracht Flachs
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Albert Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Susanne Wulff Svendsen
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Regional Hospital West Jutland - University Research Clinic, Herning, Denmark
| | - Johnni Hansen
- The Danish Cancer Society, Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Esben Budtz-Jørgensen
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Hviid Andersen
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, Regional Hospital West Jutland - University Research Clinic, Herning, Denmark
| | | | - Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of, Public, Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Harber-Aschan L, Chen WH, McAllister A, Koitzsch Jensen N, Thielen K, Andersen I, Diderichsen F, Barr B, Burström B. The impact of longstanding illness and common mental disorder on competing employment exits routes in older working age: A longitudinal data-linkage study in Sweden. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229221. [PMID: 32097437 PMCID: PMC7041791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Comorbidity is prevalent in older working ages and might affect employment exits. This study aimed to 1) assess the associations between comorbidity and different employment exit routes, and 2) examine such associations by gender. Methods We used data from employed adults aged 50–62 in the Stockholm Public Health Survey 2002 and 2006, linked to longitudinal administrative income records (N = 10,416). The morbidity measure combined Limiting Longstanding Illness and Common Mental Disorder—captured by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (≥4)—into a categorical variable: 1) No Limiting Longstanding Illness, no Common Mental Disorder, 2) Limiting Longstanding Illness only, 3) Common Mental Disorder only, and 4) comorbid Limiting Longstanding Illness+Common Mental Disorder. Employment status was followed up until 2010, treating early retirement, disability pension and unemployment as employment exits. Competing risk regression analysed the associations between morbidity and employment exit routes, stratifying by gender. Results Compared to No Limiting Longstanding Illness, no Common Mental Disorder, comorbid Limiting Longstanding Illness+Common Mental Disorder was associated with early retirement in men (subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.73, 95% confidence intervals: 1.08–2.76), but not in women. For men and women, strong associations for disability pension were observed with Limiting Longstanding Illness only (subdistribution hazard ratio = 11.43, 95% confidence intervals: 9.40–13.89) and Limiting Longstanding Illness+Common Mental Disorder (subdistribution hazard ratio = 14.25, 95% confidence intervals: 10.91–18.61), and to a lesser extent Common Mental Disorder only (subdistribution hazard ratio = 2.00, 95% confidence intervals: 1.31–3.05). Women were more likely to exit through disability pension than men (subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.96, 95% confidence intervals: 1.60–2.39). Common Mental Disorder only was the only morbidity category associated with unemployment (subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence intervals: 1.36–2.15). Conclusions Strong associations were observed between specific morbidity categories with different employment exit routes, which differed by gender. Initiatives to extend working lives should consider older workers’ varied health needs to prevent inequalities in older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Harber-Aschan
- Department of Global Public Health, Equity and Health Policy Research Group, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Wen-Hao Chen
- Social Analysis and Modelling Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ashley McAllister
- Department of Global Public Health, Equity and Health Policy Research Group, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, Disability and Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Karsten Thielen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ingelise Andersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Finn Diderichsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ben Barr
- Department of Public Health and Policy, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
| | - Bo Burström
- Department of Global Public Health, Equity and Health Policy Research Group, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Halonen JI, Mänty M, Pietiläinen O, Kujanpää T, Kanerva N, Lahti J, Lahelma E, Rahkonen O, Lallukka T. Physical working conditions and subsequent disability retirement due to any cause, mental disorders and musculoskeletal diseases: does the risk vary by common mental disorders? Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2020; 55:1021-1029. [PMID: 31893288 PMCID: PMC7395011 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-019-01823-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Physical work exposures and common mental disorders (CMD) have been linked to increased risk of work disability, but their joint associations with disability retirement due to any cause, mental disorders or musculoskeletal diseases have not been examined. METHODS The data for exposures and covariates were from the Finnish Helsinki Health Study occupational cohort surveys in 2000-2002, 2007 and 2012. We used 12,458 observations from 6159 employees, who were 40-60 years old at baseline. CMD were measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12, cut-off point 3+). Four self-reported work exposures (hazardous exposures, physical workload, computer and shift work) were combined with CMD and categorized as "neither", "work exposure only", "CMD only", and "both". Associations with register-based disability retirement were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models for sample survey data adjusting for confounders over 5-year follow-up. Additionally, synergy indices were calculated for the combined effects. RESULTS Those reporting CMD and high physical workload had a greater risk of disability retirement due to any cause (HR 4.26, 95% CI 3.60-5.03), mental disorders (HR 5.41, 95% CI 3.87-7.56), and musculoskeletal diseases (HR 4.46, 95% CI 3.49-5.71) when compared to those with neither. Synergy indices indicated that these associations were synergistic. Similar associations were observed for CMD and hazardous exposures, but not for combined exposures to CMD and computer or shift work. CONCLUSIONS Identification of mental health problems among employees in physically demanding jobs is important to support work ability and reduce the risk of premature exit from work due to disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana I Halonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Työterveyslaitos, 40, 00032, Helsinki, Finland.
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Minna Mänty
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tero Kujanpää
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, 8000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Noora Kanerva
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouni Lahti
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Lahelma
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ossi Rahkonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Työterveyslaitos, 40, 00032, Helsinki, Finland
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Bláfoss R, Aagaard P, Andersen LL. Physical and psychosocial work environmental risk factors of low-back pain: protocol for a 1 year prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019; 20:626. [PMID: 31881868 PMCID: PMC6933884 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-2996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Musculoskeletal disorders, and in particular low-back pain (LBP), are common among blue collar workers. In the work environment, both physical- and psychosocial risk factors exist. Working in warehouses in Denmark involve large quantities of occupational lifting, high work pace and a low degree of influence at work. This study investigates both acute and long-term associations between physical- and psychosocial work environmental factors and risk of LBP in warehouse workers. The specific study aims are to investigate 1) exposure-response associations between quantity of occupational lifting and short-term (day-to-day) changes in LBP, 2) the influence of accumulated workdays and rest days during a working week on LBP, 3) long-term association between occupational lifting exposure and LBP when assessed over 1 year, and 4) the role of psychological and social factors on the above associations. Methods The present study is designed as a 1-year prospective cohort study that will examine full-time warehouse workers from up to five retail chains in Denmark. Study aims 1 and 2 will be addressed using objective data based on company records with information on weight of all the goods handled by each warehouse worker during every single workday for 3 weeks. During this period, each worker will reply to text messages received before and after every workday (also on days off work) in which study participants will score their pain in the low back, bodily fatigue and perceived mental stress (scale 0–10). Long-term pain development is assessed using questionnaire surveys before and after 1 year. Further, pressure pain threshold (PPT) will be measured for selected trunk extensor muscles in approximately 50 workers using algometry along with measurements of maximal trunk extensor strength. Associations are modelled using linear mixed models with repeated measures between variables and LBP controlled for relevant confounders. Discussion This study provides knowledge about the acute and long-term associations between physical- and psychosocial work environmental factors and LBP. The obtained data will have the potential to provide recommendations on improved design of the working week to minimize the risk of LBP among warehouse workers, and may potentially enable to identify a reasonable maximum lifting threshold per day (ton lifted/day).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rúni Bláfoss
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Research Unit for Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Per Aagaard
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Research Unit for Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Louis Andersen
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Workload, National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Sport Sciences, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, DK-9100, Aalborg, Denmark
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Ervasti J, Pietiläinen O, Rahkonen O, Lahelma E, Kouvonen A, Lallukka T, Mänty M. Joint contribution of rotation of the back and repetitive movements to disability pension using job exposure matrix data. Eur J Public Health 2019; 29:1079-1084. [PMID: 31168605 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heavy physical effort at work has been linked with disability pension, but the contribution of other ergonomic job exposures is less studied. We studied the independent and joint contributions of long-term exposure to (i) rotation of the back and (ii) repetitive movements to disability pension, particularly due to musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS Exposures were measured with the Helsinki Health Study Job Exposure Matrix during 1996-2005 and linked to register data on employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n = 18 585). Outcomes were followed up during 2006-2015. Competing risk survival analyses were performed and synergy indices computed, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS Long-term exposure to rotation of the back was associated with disability pension due to any cause [age and sex-adjusted subhazard ratio (SHR) 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73-3.30], and specifically disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders (SHR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.52-7.56) when compared to employees exposed to neither of the two exposures. Repetitive movements alone did not increase the risk of disability pension (all-cause SHR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.84-1.38, musculoskeletal SHR = 1.65, 95% CI 0.91-2.97). Employees with exposure to both rotation of the back and repetitive movements had the highest risk of disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders (SHR = 5.98, 95% CI 3.85-9.28), but the interaction between exposures was additive rather than synergistic. Adjustment for education diluted the associations by 42-108%. CONCLUSION Long-term exposure to awkward work postures increased the risk of disability pension. Educational inequalities largely account for differences in occupational exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Ervasti
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ossi Rahkonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Lahelma
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Kouvonen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.,Administrative Data Research Centre - Northern Ireland (ADRC-NI), Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Minna Mänty
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,City of Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
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Halonen JI, Shiri R, Mänty M, Sumanen H, Solovieva S, Viikari-Juntura E, Kähönen M, Lehtimäki T, Raitakari OT, Lallukka T. Exposure to heavy physical work from early to later adulthood and primary healthcare visits due to musculoskeletal diseases in midlife: a register linked study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e031564. [PMID: 31462488 PMCID: PMC6720465 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether exposure to heavy physical work from early to later adulthood is associated with primary healthcare visits due to cause-specific musculoskeletal diseases in midlife. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Nationally representative Young Finns Study cohort, Finland. PARTICIPANTS 1056 participants of the Young Finns Study cohort. EXPOSURE MEASURE Physical work exposure was surveyed in early (18-24 years old, 1986 or 1989) and later adulthood (2007 and 2011), and it was categorised as: 'no exposure', 'early exposure only', 'later exposure only' and 'early and later exposure'. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Visits due to any musculoskeletal disease and separately due to spine disorders, and upper extremity disorders were followed up from national primary healthcare register from the date of the third survey in 2011 until 2014. RESULTS Prevalence of any musculoskeletal disease during the follow-up was 20%, that for spine disorders 10% and that for upper extremity disorders 5%. Those with physically heavy work in early adulthood only had an increased risk of any musculoskeletal disease (risk ratio (RR) 1.55, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.28) after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, physical activity and parental occupational class. Later exposure only was associated with visits due to any musculoskeletal disease (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.12) and spine disorders (RR 2.40, 95% CI 1.41 to 4.06). Early and later exposure was associated with all three outcomes: RR 1.99 (95% CI 1.44 to 2.77) for any musculoskeletal disease, RR 2.43 (95% CI 1.42 to 4.14) for spine disorders and RR 3.97 (95% CI 1.86 to 8.46) for upper extremity disorders. CONCLUSIONS To reduce burden of musculoskeletal diseases, preventive actions to reduce exposure to or mitigate the consequences of physically heavy work throughout the work career are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaana I Halonen
- Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rahman Shiri
- Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Minna Mänty
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hilla Sumanen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Health Care and Emergency Care, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Kotka, Finland
| | - Svetlana Solovieva
- Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eira Viikari-Juntura
- Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Kähönen
- Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli T Raitakari
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Spook SM, Koolhaas W, Bültmann U, Brouwer S. Implementing sensor technology applications for workplace health promotion: a needs assessment among workers with physically demanding work. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1100. [PMID: 31412839 PMCID: PMC6693286 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7364-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Workers with physically demanding work may be at risk for injury, illness or other adverse health outcomes due to exposure to different occupational hazards, especially at higher age. Sensor technology applications may be useful in the workplace to unobtrusively measure and monitor work exposures and provide workers with real-time feedback or access to data on demand. Many aspects might impede the implementation of sensor technology applications in the workplace, which should be taken into consideration for a successful implementation. Moreover, needs and preferences of workers regarding the use of sensor technology applications during work performance need to be identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify worker needs and preferences regarding the use of sensor technology applications in the workplace. Methods Four on-site focus group sessions were conducted in four different companies among workers with physically demanding work (n = 30). Semi-structured interview schedules were used to identify which work exposures should be measured, by which kind of sensor technology applications, under which (pre)conditions, how to motivate long-term use of sensor technology applications, and which type of feedback is preferred. For data analysis, a content-analysis with an inductive approach was performed. Results Participants mentioned that they want to use wearable sensor technology applications to measure and monitor physical job demands, occupational heat stress, noise and fatigue. Factors associated with quality, comfort and perceived ease of use were identified as potential barriers for implementation in the workplace. Long-term motivation was attributed to the ability to manage and monitor work exposures, positive feedback and data ownership. Participants indicated a need to both receive real-time feedback and access to data on demand. Conclusions Sensor technology applications may support workers with physically demanding work to measure and monitor their work exposures. Potential barriers for implementation such as privacy aspects and quality, comfort and perceived ease of use of sensor technology applications need to be well considered to ensure successful implementation of sensor technology applications in the workplace. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7364-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Mathijn Spook
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, P.O. Box 196, FA10, room 620, 9700 AD, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wendy Koolhaas
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, P.O. Box 196, FA10, room 620, 9700 AD, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ute Bültmann
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, P.O. Box 196, FA10, room 620, 9700 AD, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, P.O. Box 196, FA10, room 620, 9700 AD, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Lallukka T, Kaila-Kangas L, Mänty M, Koskinen S, Haukka E, Kausto J, Leino-Arjas P, Kaikkonen R, Halonen JI, Shiri R. Work-Related Exposures and Sickness Absence Trajectories: A Nationally Representative Follow-up Study among Finnish Working-Aged People. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16122099. [PMID: 31200553 PMCID: PMC6616391 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16122099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of physically demanding work to the developmental trajectories of sickness absence (SA) has seldom been examined. We analyzed the associations of 12 physical work exposures, individually and in combination, with SA trajectories among the occupationally active in the Finnish nationally representative Health 2000 survey. We included 3814 participants aged 30–59 years at baseline, when exposure history to work-related factors was reported. The survey and interview responses were linked with the annual number of medically confirmed SA spells through 2002–2008 from national registries. Trajectory analyses identified three SA subgroups: 1 = low (54.6%), 2 = slowly increasing (33.7%), and 3 = high (11.7%). After adjustments, sitting or use of keyboard >1 year was inversely associated with the high SA trajectory (odds ratio, OR, 0.57; 95% 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.43–0.77). The odds of belonging to the trajectory of high SA increased with an increasing number of risk factors, and was highest for those with ≥4 physical workload factors (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.99–3.69). In conclusion, these findings highlight the need to find ways to better maintain the work ability of those in physically loading work, particularly when there occurs exposure to several workload factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Lallukka
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Leena Kaila-Kangas
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Minna Mänty
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
- City of Vantaa, Asematie 7, 01300 Vantaa, Finland.
| | - Seppo Koskinen
- Unit of Statistics and research, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, P.O. Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Eija Haukka
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Johanna Kausto
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Päivi Leino-Arjas
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Risto Kaikkonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Jaana I Halonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Rahman Shiri
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland.
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Petersen J, Kirkeskov L, Hansen BB, Begtrup LM, Flachs EM, Boesen M, Hansen P, Bliddal H, Kryger AI. Physical demand at work and sick leave due to low back pain: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e026917. [PMID: 31122982 PMCID: PMC6537989 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate if self-reported high physical demand at work, objective physical workload using a job exposure matrix (JEM) and fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with reported sick leave in the previous year in persons with low back pain (LBP). Second, to investigate if the effects of fear-avoidance and self-reported high physical demand at work on sick leave are modified by the objective physical workloads. SETTINGS Participants were recruited from general practice and by advertisement in a local newspaper. PARTICIPANTS 305participants with a current period of 2-4 weeks LBP and self-reported difficulty in maintaining physically demanding jobs due to LBP were interviewed, clinically examined and had an MRI at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Independent variables were high fear-avoidance, self-reported high physical demand at work and objective measures of physical workloads (JEM). Outcome was self-reported sick leave due to LBP in the previous year. Logistic regression and tests for interaction were used to identify risk factors and modifiers for the association with self-reported sick leave. RESULTS Self-reported physically demanding work and high fear-avoidance were significantly associated with prior sick leave due to LBP in the previous year with OR 1.75 95% CI (1.10 to 2.75) and 2.75 95% CI (1.61to 4.84), respectively. No objective physical workloads had significant associations. There was no modifying effect of objective physical workloads on the association between self-reported physical demand at work/high fear-avoidance and sick leave. CONCLUSIONS Occupational interventions to reduce sick leave due to LBP may have to focus more on those with high self-reported physical demands and high fear-avoidance, and less on individuals with the objectively highest physical workload. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02015572; Post-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Petersen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lilli Kirkeskov
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Unit of Social Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bjarke Brandt Hansen
- Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luise Moelenberg Begtrup
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Esben Meulengracht Flachs
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikael Boesen
- Department of Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philip Hansen
- Department of Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henning Bliddal
- Department of Rheumatology, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ann Isabel Kryger
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
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