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