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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.
SUBMITTER: Petersen J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6537989 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Petersen Jonathan J Kirkeskov Lilli L Hansen Bjarke Brandt BB Begtrup Luise Moelenberg LM Flachs Esben Meulengracht EM Boesen Mikael M Hansen Philip P Bliddal Henning H Kryger Ann Isabel AI
BMJ open 20190522 5
<h4>Objectives</h4>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.<h4>Settings</h4>Participants were recruited from general practice ...[more]