scholarly journals Fear Avoidance Beliefs and Risk of Long-Term Sickness Absence: Prospective Cohort Study among Workers with Musculoskeletal Pain

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Jay ◽  
Sannie Vester Thorsen ◽  
Emil Sundstrup ◽  
Ramon Aiguadé ◽  
Jose Casaña ◽  
...  

Background and Objective. Musculoskeletal pain is common in the population. Negative beliefs about musculoskeletal pain and physical activity may lead to avoidance behavior resulting in absence from work. The present study investigates the influence of fear avoidance beliefs on long-term sickness absence. Methods. Workers of the general working population with musculoskeletal pain (low back, neck/shoulder, and/or arm/hand pain; n = 8319) from the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study were included. Long-term sickness absence data were obtained from the Danish Register for Evaluation and Marginalization (DREAM). Time-to-event analyses (cox regression) controlled for various confounders estimated the association between fear avoidance beliefs (very low, low, moderate [reference category], high, and very high) at baseline and long-term sickness absence (LTSA; ≥6 consecutive weeks) during a 2-year follow-up. Results. During the 2-year follow-up, 10.2% of the workers experienced long-term sickness absence. In the fully adjusted model, very high-level fear avoidance increased the risk of LTSA with hazard ratio (HR) of 1.48 (95% CI 1.15-1.90). Similar results were seen analyses stratified for occupational physical activity, i.e., sedentary workers (HR 1.72 (95% CI 1.04-2.83)) and physically active workers (HR 1.48 (95% CI 1.10-2.01)). Conclusion. A very high level of fear avoidance is a risk factor for long-term sickness absence among workers with musculoskeletal pain regardless of the level of occupational physical activity. Future interventions should target fear avoidance beliefs through information and campaigns about the benefits of staying active when having musculoskeletal pain.

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.


Author(s):  
Subas Neupane ◽  
Kristina Karstad ◽  
David M. Hallman ◽  
Reiner Rugulies ◽  
Andreas Holtermann

Abstract Purpose To explore the prospective association of objectively measured and self-reported occupational physical activity (OPA) with multisite musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among Danish eldercare workers. Methods The study population consisted of eldercare workers in 20 Danish nursing homes (N = 553, response rate 59%, 525 female). Baseline data were collected in 2013–2014 and the 1-year follow-up was completed in 2016. At baseline, we measured objective OPA by a thigh-worn ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer during work and self-reported OPA by a questionnaire survey. Information on musculoskeletal pain during the past four weeks in seven different body sites was reported by a structured questionnaire at baseline (n = 389) and by SMS and telephone interview during follow-up (n = 284). MSP was defined as having pain in two or more body sites. Using log-binomial models we calculated risk ratios (RRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the association between objectively measured and self-reported OPA and MSP. Results We found statistically significant positive associations between self-reported OPA (RR for high OPA 1.24, 95% CI 1.05–1.46) and MSP while there was no significant association found between objective OPA and MSP. Conclusion Our study indicates that self-reported, but not objectively measured OPA is positively associated with MSP. This finding highlights the need for better understanding, use, and interpretation of self-reported and objectively measured OPA in the study of MSP.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
MEH Larsson ◽  
L. Nordeman ◽  
K. Holmgren ◽  
A. Grimby-Ekman ◽  
G. Hensing ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal pain is globally a leading cause of physical disability. Many musculoskeletal-related pain conditions, such as low back pain, often resolve spontaneously. In some individuals, pain may recur or persist, leading to ong-term physical disability, reduced work capacity, and sickness absence. Early identification of individuals in which this may occur, is essential for preventing or reducing the risk of developing persistent musculoskeletal pain and long-term sickness absence. The aim of the trial described in this protocol is to evaluate effects of an early intervention, the PREVSAM model, on the prevention of sickness absence and development of persistent pain in at-risk patients with musculoskeletal pain. Methods Eligible participants are adults who seek health care for musculoskeletal pain and who are at risk of developing persistent pain, physical disability, and sickness absence. Participants may be recruited from primary care rehabilitation centres or primary care healthcare centres in Region Västra Götaland. Participants will be randomised to treatment according to the PREVSAM model (intervention group) or treatment as usual (control group). The PREVSAM model comprises an interdisciplinary, person-centred rehabilitation programme, including coordinated measures within primary health care, and may include collaboration with participants’ employers. The primary outcome sickness absence is operationalised as the number and proportion of individuals who remain in full- or part-time work, the number of gross and net days of sickness absence during the intervention and follow-up period, and time to first sickness absence spell. Secondary outcomes are patient-reported short-term sickness absence, work ability, pain, self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, risk for sickness absence, anxiety and depression symptoms and physical disability at 1 and 3 months after inclusion (short-term follow-up), and at 6 and 12 months (long-term follow-up). A cost-effectiveness analysis is planned and drug consumption will be investigated. Discussion The study is expected to provide new knowledge on the effectiveness of a comprehensive rehabilitation model that incorporates early identification of patients with musculoskeletal pain at risk for development of sickness absence and persistent pain. The study findings may contribute to more effective rehabilitation processes of this large patient population, and potentially reduce sickness absence and costs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol ID: NCT03913325, Registered April 12, 2019. Version 2, 10 July 2020. Version 2 changes: Clarifications regarding trial aim and inclusion process.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri Terho ◽  
Marianne Haapea ◽  
Markus Paananen ◽  
Katariina Korniloff ◽  
Arja Häkkinen ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground and aimLow back pain (LBP) is a debilitating problem worldwide causing disability and reducing quality of life. The Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) was developed on the basis of the assumption that fear-avoidance beliefs play a major role in LBP-related disability. It comprises 16 items scored by the patient and includes sub-scores for fear-avoidance beliefs regarding work and physical activity. This study aimed to translate and validate the Finnish version of the FABQ and to measure its properties among Finnish patients with LBP.Material and methodsA forward-backward translation procedure was used based on modified recommended guidelines. The FABQ was applied to 66 Finnish patients with LBP. Patients answered the FABQ at baseline and again approximately two weeks later. The test-re-test reliability between the baseline and follow-up FABQwas evaluated by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Internal consistency between the items within total and sub-scores was evaluated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. The items of the baseline FABQ were grouped using factor analysis and the correlations between the FABQ pain intensity in visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were assessed using linear regression analysis.ResultsThe Finnish version of the FABQ was successfully adapted. The mean age of patients was 46. Almost all patients (97%) reported LBP, most patients (76%) had chronic pain lasting more than 3 months and the mean intensity of LBP was 58 mm on VAS. The follow-up time between the first and second questionnaire ranged from 2 days to 59 days with the median of 16 days. The ICC value for reliability between the baseline and follow-up questionnaires was excellent for the total score (0.91) and work sub-score (0.89), and good for the physical activity sub-score (0.73). The items regarding work showed high or excellent reliability throughout, with ICC values ranging from 0.63 to 0.89. The ICC values for the items related to physical activity ranged from 0.43 to 0.66, displaying moderate to good reliability. Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was excellent for the total score (0.92) and work (0.89), and good for physical activity (0.71). The best factor analysis solution yielded three factors characterized by the fear that pain aggravates due to (1) work or (2) physical activity, and (3) fear-avoidance beliefs concerning work. Higher total FABQ score was associated significantly with higher VAS (p-value 0.021) and ODI (<0.001).Conclusion and implicationsThe expert committee successfully created an applicable Finnish versionof the FABQ. The Finnish FABQ is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing LBP patients’ fear avoidancebehaviour and has similar properties to those found in other validation studies of the FABQ. Thus it canbe used for assessing the risk of disability due to fear avoidance behaviour in Finnish-speaking patientswith LBP for both clinical and scientific purposes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Gupta ◽  
Sofie Dencker-Larsen ◽  
Charlotte Lund Rasmussen ◽  
Duncan McGregor ◽  
Charlotte Diana Nørregaard Rasmussen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The ‘physical activity health paradox’ advocates that leisure physical activity (PA) promotes health while occupational PA impairs health. However, this paradox can be explained by methodological limitations of the previous studies—self-reported PA measures, socioeconomic confounding or not addressing the compositional nature of PA. Therefore, this study investigated the association between compositions of accelerometer-based moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) time at work and leisure and onset of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). Methods: Time spent on MVPA and remaining physical behaviours (sedentary behaviour, standing, light PA and time in bed) at work and leisure was measured for 929 workers using thigh accelerometry and expressed as isometric log-ratios (ilrs). LTSA was register-based events of ≥6 consecutive weeks during 4-year follow-up. The association between ilrs and LTSA was analysed using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for remaining physical behaviours and potential confounders, then separately adjusting for and stratifying on education and type of work. Results: During the follow-up, 21% workers experienced LTSA. During leisure, more relative MVPA time was negatively associated with LTSA (20% lower risk with 20 minutes higher MVPA, P=0.02). At work, more relative MVPA time was positively associated with LTSA (15% higher risk with 20 minutes higher MVPA, P=0.02). Beneficial association between MVPA at leisure and LTSA was only observed for the lowest tertile of MVPA at work (P=0.03). Results remained unchanged when adjusted for or stratified on education and type of work. Conclusion: These findings provide further support to the ‘PA health paradox’. Key words: physical activity, sedentary behavior, accelerometers, sick leave, occupational health, time-use epidemiology, register-based sickness absence


2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2021-107393
Author(s):  
David Martinez Gomez ◽  
Pieter Coenen ◽  
Carlos Celis-Morales ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Fernando Rodriguez-Artalejo ◽  
...  

ObjectivesWe examined the associations of history and duration in high occupational physical activity (OPA) with long-term total and cause-specific mortality.MethodsThe sample included 322 126 participants (135 254 women) from the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study, established in 1995–1996. History and duration in high OPA were reported by participants. All-cause, cardiovascular, cancer and other cause mortality records available through 31 December 2011.ResultsThe prevalence of high OPA was 52.1% in men and 16.1% in women. During 13.6 years (SD, 3.3) of follow-up, 73 563 participants (25 219 women) died. In age-adjusted models, the risk of death was higher among men (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.16) and women (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.26) with a history of high OPA. However, these associations were substantially attenuated in women (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.07, an 81.8% attenuation) and eliminated in men (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.04, 85.7% attenuation) after multivariable adjustments. Similar important attenuation results were found when examining duration in high OPA, as well as using cause-specific deaths as the outcomes. Educational attainment and smoking patterns were the main contributors in the excess mortality among people working in highly physically active jobs in both men and women.ConclusionParticipating in high OPA was not consistently associated with a higher mortality risk, after adjustments for education and smoking factors. Workers in high OPA should be aware that they might not be getting all well-known health benefits of being physically active if they are only very active at work.


Heart ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (14) ◽  
pp. 1165-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Mario Ferrario ◽  
Mattia Roncaioli ◽  
Giovanni Veronesi ◽  
Andreas Holtermann ◽  
Els Clays ◽  
...  

ObjectivesWe investigate the independent and interacting long-term associations of occupational physical activity (OPA) and sport physical activity (SpPA) with the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD; CHD plus ischaemic stroke) in North Italian male workers.Methods3574 employed men aged 25–64 years, free of CVD at baseline, recruited in three population-based and one factory-based cohorts, were included in the analysis. The Baecke Questionnaire was used to assess OPA and SpPA in ‘minutes per week’ of moderate or vigorous PA. We estimated the associations between different domains of PA and the endpoints, adjusting for major CVD risk factors, using Cox models.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 14 years, 135 and 174 first CHD and CVD events, fatal and non-fatal, occurred. Compared with the intermediate OPA tertile, the HRs for CHD among low and high OPA workers were 1.66 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.59) and 1.18 (0.72 to 1.94), respectively (P value=0.07). Decreasing trends in CHD and CVD rates across increasing levels of SpPA were also found, with an HR for CVD of 0.68 (0.46 to 0.98) for intermediate/recommended SpPA compared with poor SpPA. We also found a statistically significant SpPA-OPA interaction, and the protective effect of SpPA was only found among sedentary workers, for both endpoints. Conversely, high OPA workers with intermediate/recommended SpPA levels had increased CHD and CVD rates compared with the poor SpPA category.ConclusionsOur results provide further evidence on the health paradox of OPA, with higher CVD rates among workers with intense PA at work. Moreover, the protective effect on CVDs of SpPA is prominent in sedentary workers, but it attenuates and even reverses in moderate and strenuous OPA workers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taweewat Wiangkham ◽  
Nattawan Phungwattanakul ◽  
Patcharin Tedsombun ◽  
Isara Kongmee ◽  
Wanisara Suwanmongkhon ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesFear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) is a self-report, valid and reliable questionnaire to quantify fear and avoidance beliefs related to physical activity and work. Furthermore, it can be used to predict prolong disability in patients with non-specific neck pain. Although it was originally developed to manage patients with low back pain, it has also been studied in individuals with neck pain. This questionnaire was translated into several languages following reports of potential benefits in patients with neck pain. Recently, Thai neck clinical trials, international multi-centre trials and data sharing are growing throughout the world but no validated Thai version of the FABQ is available for clinical and research uses. Our objectives were to translate and cross-culturally adapt the FABQ into Thai version and evaluate its psychometric properties in Thai patients with non-specific neck pain.MethodsCross-cultural translation and adaptation of the FABQ were conducted according to standard guidelines. A total of 129 participants with non-specific neck pain were invited to complete the Thai versions of the FABQ (FABQ-TH), neck disability index and visual analogue scale for pain intensity. Psychometric evaluation included exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, agreement, and convergent validity. Thirty participants completed the FABQ-TH twice with a 48-h interval between tests to assess the test-retest reliability.ResultsFactor analysis identified four components for the FABQ-TH (66.69% of the total variance). The intraclass correlation coefficient of test-retest reliability was excellent for the total score (0.986), work attitudes (0.995), physical activity attitudes (0.958), physical activity experiences (0.927), and expected recovery (0.984). Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was excellent (range 0.87–0.88) for all items. The minimal detectable change of the FABQ-TH was 5.85. The FABQ-TH correlated to its subscales (range 0.470–0.936), indicating the strongest association with work attitude. The weakest correlation was observed between the FABQ-TH and disability (rs=0.206, p=0.01). Missing data and significant floor or ceiling effects were not found.ConclusionsThe Thai version of the FABQ for non-specific neck pain was successfully adapted. It is a valid and reliable instrument to quantify fear and avoidance beliefs among patients with non-specific neck pain who speak and read Thai.


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosie Barnett ◽  
Anita McGrogan ◽  
Matthew Young ◽  
Charlotte Cavill ◽  
Mandy Freeth ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Aims  Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic rheumatic condition, characterised by inflammatory back pain - often associated with impaired function and mobility, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and reduced quality of life. Despite the vast advances in pharmacological treatments for axSpA over the last few decades, physical activity and rehabilitation remain vital for effective disease management. At the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath (RNHRD), the 2-week inpatient axSpA rehabilitation programme has been integral to axSpA care since the 1970’s. Prior research has demonstrated significant short-term improvements in spinal mobility (BASMI), function (BASFI) and disease activity (BASDAI) following course attendance. However, the long-term outcomes are yet to be evaluated in this unique cohort. Methods  Since the early 1990’s, clinical measures of spinal mobility, function and disease activity have been routinely collected at the RNHRD at all clinical appointments through administration of the BASMI, BASFI and BASDAI, respectively. Dates of attending the axSpA course and standard clinical and treatment follow-up data were also collected. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of course attendance on final reported BASMI, BASDAI and BASFI scores (final score=most recent). Length of follow-up was defined as time between first and last recorded BASMI. Results  Of the 203 patients within the Bath SPARC200 cohort, 77.8% (158/203) had attended at least one rehabilitation course throughout follow-up. 70.0% (140/203) of patients were male. The mean duration of follow-up was 13.5 years (range 0-35 years); 28.1% (57/203) of individuals with 20+ years of follow-up. Course attendance (yes versus no) significantly reduced final BASMI score by 0.84 (p = 0.001, 95%CI -1.31 to -0.37) and final BASDAI score by 0.74 (p = 0.018, 95%CI -1.34 to -0.13). Although course attendance reduced final BASFI by 0.45 (95%CI -1.17 to 0.28), this relationship did not reach significance (p = 0.225). Whilst minimally clinically important difference (MCID) is, to our knowledge, yet to be defined for BASMI, MCIDs were achieved long-term for both BASDAI and BASFI - defined by van der Heijde and colleagues in 2016 as 0.7 and 0.4 for BASDAI and BASFI, respectively. Conclusion  These results provide novel evidence to support the integral role of education, physical activity and rehabilitation in the management of axSpA. Future work should investigate additional outcomes of critical importance to patients and clinicians, such as fatigue, quality of life and work productivity. Furthermore, a greater understanding of the factors that confound these outcomes may provide insights into those patients who may most benefit from attending a 2-week rehabilitation course. In addition to facilitating identification of those patients who may require additional clinical support. Disclosure  R. Barnett: None. A. McGrogan: None. M. Young: None. C. Cavill: None. M. Freeth: None. R. Sengupta: Honoraria; Biogen, Celgene, AbbVie, Novartis, MSD. Grants/research support; Novartis, UCB.


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