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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-08-2007 | Original Article

Work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors for sick leave in patients with neck or upper extremity complaints

Authors: Sandra D. M. Bot, Caroline B. Terwee, Daniëlle A. W. M. van der Windt, Allard J. van der Beek, Lex M. Bouter, Joost Dekker

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2007

Abstract

Objectives

To study work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors for sick leave among patients who have visited their general practitioner for neck or upper extremity complaints.

Methods

Three hundred and forty two patients with neck or upper extremity complaints completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and after 3 months. Cox regression models were used to investigate the association between work-related risk factors and sick leave (i.e., lost days from work due to neck or upper extremity complaints in 3 months). Effect modification by sick leave at baseline, sex, worrying and musculoskeletal co-morbidity was evaluated by adding product terms to the regression models.

Results

In the subgroup of patients who scored high on the pain copying scale “worrying” the hazard ratio of sick leave was 1.32 (95% CI 1.07–1.62) per 10% increase in heavy physical work. The subgroup of patients who were sitting for long periods of time had a reduced risk of sick leave as compared to patients who did not spend a lot of time sitting, again only in patients who scored high on the pain coping scale “worrying” (adjusted HR = 0.17, 95%-CI 0.04–0.72). Other work-related risk factors were not significantly related to sick leave.

Conclusions

Heavy physical work increased the risk of sick leave and prolonged sitting reduced the risk of sick leave in a subgroup of patients who worried much about their pain. Additional large longitudinal studies of sufficiently large size among employees with neck or upper extremity complaints are needed to confirm our results.

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Title: Work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors for sick leave in patients with neck or upper extremity complaints
Authors: Sandra D. M. Bot
Caroline B. Terwee
Daniëlle A. W. M. van der Windt
Allard J. van der Beek
Lex M. Bouter
Joost Dekker
Publication date: 01-08-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2007
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-007-0186-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors for sick leave in patients with neck or upper extremity complaints

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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