scholarly journals The impact of musculoskeletal pain and strenuous work on self-reported physical work ability: a cohort study of Swedish men and women

Author(s):  
Kathryn Badarin ◽  
Tomas Hemmingsson ◽  
Lena Hillert ◽  
Katarina Kjellberg

Abstract Objective We investigated the separate and combined effects of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and strenuous work (heavy physical workload (PWL)/low-decision authority) on poor physical work ability (WA). Methods This study uses baseline data from the 2010 Stockholm Public Health Questionnaire (SPHQ) including 9419 workers with good physical WA. Exposure to PWL and decision authority were estimated using sex-specific job-exposure matrices linked to occupations. Exposures (high/low) were combined with the presence of MSP. Follow-up data on physical WA were taken from the 2014 SPHQ and dichotomised (the responses: “moderate”, “rather poor” and “very poor” indicated poor WA). Logistic regression models calculated sex-specific odds ratios adjusting for age, education and health and lifestyle factors. Interaction between MSP and strenuous work was examined using the synergy index (SI). Analyses were conducted using SPSS.27. Results MSP, heavy PWL and low-decision authority were separately associated with poor WA. MSP was associated with higher odds of poor WA than strenuous work for women, the opposite for men. Combinations of MSP and strenuous work often resulted in higher risks of poor WA than when adding the effects of the single exposures (e.g., MSP and heavy PWL men: AOR 4.04 95% CI 2.00–8.15, women: AOR: 3.25 95% CI 1.81–5.83). The SI was non-significant for both sexes. Conclusion Workers with MSP and strenuous work often had higher risks of poor WA than would be expected from adding the effects of the single exposures. To decrease poor WA in this group, strenuous work should be lowered, and MSP addressed in workplaces.

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-107094
Author(s):  
Kathryn Badarin ◽  
Tomas Hemmingsson ◽  
Lena Hillert ◽  
Katarina Kjellberg

ObjectivesMusculoskeletal pain (MSP) is prevalent among the workforce. This study investigates the long-term association between physical workload (PWL) and increased frequency of MSP among male and female employees with pre-existing occasional MSP.MethodsThis study uses the Stockholm Public Health cohort survey data from the baseline 2006. The sample includes 5715 employees with baseline occasional MSP (no more than a few days per month). Eight PWL exposures and overall PWL were estimated using a job-exposure matrix (JEM). The JEM was assigned to occupational titles from a national register in 2006. Follow-up survey data on frequent MSP (a few or more times a week) were collected from 2010. Logistic regressions produced sex-specific ORs with 95% CIs and were adjusted for education, health conditions, psychological distress, smoking, BMI, leisure-time physical activity and decision authority.ResultsAssociations were observed between several aspects of heavy PWL and frequent MSP for men (eg, OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.20, among those in the highest exposure quartile compared with those in the lowest quartile for heavy lifting) and women (eg, OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.29, among those in the highest exposure quartile compared with those in the the lowest quartile for physically strenuous work). Small changes were observed in the OR after adjustment, but most of the ORs for PWL exposures among the men were no longer statistically significantly increased.ConclusionA high level of exposure to heavy PWL was associated with increased frequency of MSP 4 years later for men and women with baseline occasional pain.


2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
K Engquist ◽  
P Ørbaek ◽  
K Jakobsson

We studied the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its impact on performance in orchestra musicians and in a reference group of actors, who share the mental stress in a performance situation, but without having the physical work load from an instrument. Swedish musicians (n = 103) from symphony and chamber orchestras and actors (n = 106) participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed by a further developed Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The impact of pain on performance (pain affecting playing capacity, decreased playing time, and change of technique) and trouble-related sick leave also was assessed. Pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scales. Musculoskeletal pain in the neck and shoulders was the most frequently reported problem, with similar prevalence among musicians and actors, around 25% for present pain and 20% for chronic pain (1-year prevalence). Around 10% of the musicians and 5% of the actors reported pain in the hands. Oral pain was reported by 12% of the musicians and 18% of the actors. The number of affected body regions and the intensity of pain were similar in the study groups. The musicians had an increased risk for pain affecting playing capacity. For the neck, the prevalence odds ratio (POR) was 3.0 (95%CI 1.2-7.2; adjusted for age and gender). String instrumentalists had higher risk estimates than nonstring instrumentalists. A gender difference was not observed. Pain in the oral region affecting playing capacity was less common in musicians, with a prevalence odds ratio of 0.4 (95%CI 0.1-0.8). Even though the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was similar in the two groups of performing artists, the consequences for the work situation were more serious among musicians.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A76.2-A76
Author(s):  
Katarina Kjellberg ◽  
Daniel Falkstedt ◽  
Anette Linnersjö ◽  
Tomas Hemmingsson

BackgroundIn Sweden, the proportion of the population that remains in paid employment until normal retirement age of 65 years is less than 50% in blue-collar groups, compared to 60%–75% in white-collar occupations. High physical workload has been associated with early exits from the labor market through disability pensions (DP) in many studies. However, identified risk factors for DP from early life may be more prevalent among men in heavy manual occupations than in others. The aim was to investigate the association between high physical work load in middle age and DP before age 59, adjusting for social background, physical ability, psychological characteristics, lifestyle and education measured before labour market entrance.MethodsThe study is based on a Swedish conscription cohort of 49 321 men born 1949–1951. At enlistment 1969/1970 information was collected about cardiorespiratory fitness, social background, psychological characteristics and health behaviours, e.g. smoking. Physical workload was estimated with a job exposure matrix based on questions concerning heavy lifting, strenuous work postures, repetitive work and physically strenuous work from the Swedish Work Environment Surveys 1989–97. Mean values for men of a composite physical exposure variable were grouped into quartiles; high, medium-high, medium-low and low physical workload, and assigned to occupational titles from the census 1990. The study group was followed regarding DP from age 40 to 59.ResultsExposure to high (HR 2.67, CI 95% 2.42–2.95), medium-high (HR 2.43, CI 95% 2.20–2.69) and medium-low (HR 1.31, CI 95% 1.18–1.47) physical workload, compared with low, were associated with DP up to age 59. The increased risks remained, but were clearly attenuated after adjustments for pre-labour market factors, especially psychological characteristics and education.ConclusionThe results are in line with a major effect of high physical work load on disability pension, even though adjustments for pre-labour market factors clearly attenuated the risks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristoffer L. Norheim ◽  
Afshin Samani ◽  
Jakob Hjort Bønløkke ◽  
Øyvind Omland ◽  
Pascal Madeleine

Aims: To investigate the associations between both high- and low-intensity leisure-time physical activity on physical-work ability and chronic musculoskeletal complaints among manual workers aged 50–70 years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1763 manual workers (mean age 57.1, SD ± 4.7 years) replied to questions about leisure-time physical activity, physical-work ability, chronic musculoskeletal complaints as well as health and lifestyle factors. Ordinal and binomial logistic regression models were constructed to assess the influence of the duration of both low- and high-intensity physical activity on physical-work ability and chronic musculoskeletal complaints, respectively. Models were adjusted for gender, age, smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, physical-work demand, work experience, chronic disease and, regarding physical-work ability, also for chronic musculoskeletal complaints. Results: A statistically significant association between greater physical-work ability and high-intensity physical activity was found for workers engaged in 3–4 h/wk and ⩾ 5 h/wk (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.15–2.19 and OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.10–2.22, respectively). For both high- and low-intensity physical activity, a duration of 3–4 h/wk was associated with lower odds of reporting chronic musculoskeletal complaints in the knees (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.42–1.00 and OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38–0.99, respectively). Conclusions: Engaging in ⩾ 3 h/wk of high-intensity leisure-time physical activity was associated with greater physical-work ability among manual workers aged 50–70 years. Both high- and low-intensity physical activity related to lower odds of having chronic musculoskeletal complaints in the knees.


Work ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Gouttebarge ◽  
Haije Wind ◽  
P. Paul F.M. Kuijer ◽  
Judith K. Sluiter ◽  
Monique H.W. Frings-Dresen

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