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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-04-2021 | Musculoskeletal Pain | Original Article

Work limitations due to neck-shoulder pain and physical work demands in older workers: cross-sectional study

Authors: Mohammad Bayattork, Sebastian Venge Skovlund, Emil Sundstrup, Lars Louis Andersen

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Many older workers are working despite having neck-shoulder pain (NSP), which may give rise to work limitations due to pain, especially among those with high physical work demands. This study investigated the joint association of neck-shoulder pain intensity and physical work demands with work limitations among older workers.

Methods

In SeniorWorkingLife, workers ≥ 50 years (n = 11,800) replied to questions about NSP intensity, work limitations due to pain, and physical activity demands at work. The odds ratio for having a higher level of work limitations due to pain in relation to neck-shoulder pain intensity and physical work demands were modeled using logistic regression controlled for various confounders.

Results

The results showed that the neck-shoulder pain intensity was associated with work limitations in a dose–response fashion (p < 0.0001). Importantly, a significant interaction existed between neck-shoulder pain intensity and physical activity at work (p < 0.0001), e.g., 77% of workers with high pain and high work demands experienced work limitations due to the pain.

Conclusion

Higher neck-shoulder pain intensity and higher physical work demands—and particularly in combination—were associated with higher odds of work limitation due to pain among older workers. Thus, it seems especially important to accommodate work demands through a better work environment for these groups of workers.

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Title: Work limitations due to neck-shoulder pain and physical work demands in older workers: cross-sectional study
Authors: Mohammad Bayattork
Sebastian Venge Skovlund
Emil Sundstrup
Lars Louis Andersen
Publication date: 01-04-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Musculoskeletal Pain
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01594-7

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Work limitations due to neck-shoulder pain and physical work demands in older workers: cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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