Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 3/2017

Open Access 01-09-2017 | Review

Systematic Review of Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Workers with Sub Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain

Authors: Ivan A. Steenstra, Claire Munhall, Emma Irvin, Nelson Oranye, Steven Passmore, Dwayne Van Eerd, Quenby Mahood, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | Issue 3/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose We systematically reviewed the evidence on factors that predict duration of sick leave in workers after 6 weeks low back pain (LBP) related sick leave. We hypothesized that different factors affect the duration of the leave depending on the time away from work. Methods The review occurred in seven phases: (1) developing the central question, (2) conducting the literature search, (3) identifying relevant publications, (4) quality appraisal, (5) data extraction, (6) evidence synthesis, and (7) knowledge translation. We searched for studies that reported episodes of LBP and sick leave that lasted more than 6 weeks. All included studies reported at least one prognostic factor where return to work was the outcome. Results We identified twenty-two relevant publications. The impact of pain, functional status and radiating pain seems to change with duration of work disability. Workers’ recovery expectations remain important after 6 weeks. Modified duties are rarely studied in later phases of work disability. Depression/mental health did not appear to be an important factor in later phases. Workplace physical factors remain important. There is insufficient evidence that pain catastrophising and fear avoidance are predictive factors in later phases. There was moderate evidence for age in the later phases. Functional capacity and claim related factors were supported by some evidence. Discusion Physical demands in the workplace are preventing workers from getting back to work in a timely fashion across phases. The psychosocial work environment is understudied in later phases. Overall, we cannot conclude that prognostic factors change over time.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Frymoyer JW, Cats-Baril WL. An overview of the incidences and costs of low back pain. Orthop Clin North Am. 1991;22:263–71.PubMed
2.
3.
van Tulder MW, Koes BW, Bouter LM. A cost-of-illness study of back pain in The Netherlands. Pain. 1995;62:233–40.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Hoy D, March L, Brooks P, Blyth F, Woolf A, Bain C, et al. The global burden of low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014;73:968–74.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Frank JW, Brooker AS, DeMaio SE, Kerr MS, Maetzel A, Shannon HS, et al. Disability resulting from occupational low back pain Part II: What do we know about secondary prevention? A review of the scientific evidence on prevention after disability begins. Spine. 1996;21:2918–29.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Steenstra IA, Verbeek JH, Heymans MW, Bongers PM. Prognostic factors for duration of sick leave in patients sick listed with acute low back pain: a systematic review of the literature. Occup Environ Med. 2005;62:851–60.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
7.
8.
Loisel P, Durand MJ, Berthelette D, Vezina N, Baril R, Gagnon D, et al. Disability prevention—New paradigm for the management of occupational back pain. Pract Dis Manag: Dis Manag Health Outcomes. 2001;9:351–60.
9.
Wasiak R, Young AE, Dunn KM, Cote P, Gross DP, Heymans MW, et al. Back pain recurrence: an evaluation of existing indicators and direction for future research. Spine. 2009;20(34):970–7.CrossRef
10.
Young AE, Roessler RT, Wasiak R, McPherson KM, van Poppel MNM, Anema JR. A developmental conceptualization of return to work. J Occup Rehab. 2005;15:557–68.CrossRef
11.
World Health Organization. The international classification of functioninjg, disability and health, ICF. Geneva: World Health Organ; 2001.
12.
Furlan AD, Pennick V, Bombardier C, Van TM. 2009 updated method guidelines for systematic reviews in the Cochrane Back Review Group. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009;34:1929–41.CrossRef
13.
Haynes RB, Wilczynski N, McKibbon KA, Walker CJ, Sinclair JC. Developing optimal search strategies for detecting clinically sound studies in MEDLINE. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 1994;1:447–58.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
McKibbon KA, Walker-Dilks C, Haynes RB, Wilczynski N. Beyond ACP Journal Club: how to harness MEDLINE for prognosis problems. ACP J Club. 1995;123:12–4.
15.
Wilczynski NL, Haynes RB. Developing optimal search strategies for detecting clinically sound prognostic studies in MEDLINE: an analytic survey. BMC Med. 2004;9(2):23.CrossRef
16.
Wong SS, Wilczynski NL, Haynes RB, Ramkissoonsingh R, Hedges Team. Developing optimal search strategies for detecting sound clinical prediction studies in MEDLINE. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2003;728–32.
17.
Steenstra IA, Busse JW, Hogg-Johnson S. Predicting return to work for workers with low-back pain. In: Loisel P, Anema JR, Pransky GS, editors. Work disability prevention handbook. New York: Springer; 2013.
18.
Hoogendoorn WE, van Poppel MN, Bongers PM, Koes BW, Bouter LM. Systematic review of psychosocial factors at work and private life as risk factors for back pain. Spine. 2000;15(25):2114–25.CrossRef
19.
Steenstra IA, Busse JW, Tolusso D, Davilmar A, Lee H, Furlan AD, et al. Predicting time on prolonged benefits for injured workers with acute back pain. J Occup Rehabil. 2015;25(2):267–78.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Koopman FS, Edelaar M, Slikker R, Reynders K, van der Woude LH, Hoozemans MJ. Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary occupational training program for chronic low back pain: a prospective cohort study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;83:94–103.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Gauthier N, Sullivan MJ, Adams H, Stanish WD, Thibault P. Investigating risk factors for chronicity: the importance of distinguishing between return-to-work status and self-report measures of disability. J Occup Environ Med. 2006;48:312–8.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Blackwell TL, Leierer SJ, Haupt SS, Kampitsis A, Wolfson JR. Prediction of vocational outcomes for workers’ compensation claimants with back injury. J Appl Rehabil Couns. 2004;35(2):32–8.
23.
Vendrig AA. Prognostic factors and treatment-related changes associated with return to work in the multimodal treatment of chronic back pain. J Behav Med. 1999;22:217–32.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Reme SE, Hagen EM, Eriksen HR. Expectations, perceptions, and physiotherapy predict prolonged sick leave in subacute low back pain. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2009;10(139):2009.
25.
Truchon M, Cote D, Schmouth ME, Leblond J, Fillion L, Dionne C. Validation of an adaptation of the stress process model for predicting low back pain related long-term disability outcomes: a cohort study. Spine. 2010;1(35):1307–15.CrossRef
26.
Joy JM, Lowy J, Mansoor JK. Increased pain tolerance as an indicator of return to work in low-back injuries after work hardening. Am J Occup Ther. 2001;55:200–5.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Truchon M, Cote D. Predictive validity of the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory in subacute low back pain. Pain. 2005;116:205–12.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Okurowski L, Pransky G, Webster B, Shaw WS, Verma S. Prediction of prolonged work disability in occupational low-back pain based on nurse case management data. J Occup Environ Med. 2003;45:763–70.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Van Der Giezen AM, Bouter LM, Nijhuis FJ. Prediction of return-to-work of low back pain patients sicklisted for 3–4 months. Pain. 2000;87:285–94.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Hansson TH, Hansson EK. The effects of common medical interventions on pain, back function, and work resumption in patients with chronic low back pain: a prospective 2-year cohort study in six countries. Spine. 2000;1(25):3055–64.CrossRef
31.
Anema JR, Schellart AJ, Cassidy JD, Loisel P, Veerman TJ, van der Beek AJ. Can cross country differences in return-to-work after chronic occupational back pain be explained? An exploratory analysis on disability policies in a six country cohort study. J Occup Rehabil. 2009;19:419–26.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
32.
Hazard RG, Bendix A, Fenwick JW. Disability exaggeration as a predictor of functional restoration outcomes for patients with chronic low-back pain. Spine. 1991;16:1062–7.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Gatchel RJ, Polatin PB, Mayer TG, Garcy PD. Psychopathology and the rehabilitation of patients with chronic low back pain disability. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994;75:666–70.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Anema JR, Cuelenaere B, van der Beek AJ, Knol DL, de Vet HC, van Mechelen W. The effectiveness of ergonomic interventions on return-to-work after low back pain; a prospective two year cohort study in six countries on low back pain patients sicklisted for 3–4 months. Occup Environ Med. 2004;61:289–94.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
35.
Storheim K, Brox JI, Holm I, Bo K. Predictors of return to work in patients sick listed for sub-acute low back pain: a 12-month follow-up study. J Rehabil Med. 2005;37:365–71.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Schultz IZ, Crook J, Meloche GR, Berkowitz J, Milner R, Zuberbier OA, et al. Psychosocial factors predictive of occupational low back disability: towards development of a return-to-work model. Pain. 2004;107:77–85.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Gross DP, Battie MC, Cassidy JD. The prognostic value of functional capacity evaluation in patients with chronic low back pain: part 1: timely return to work. Spine. 2004;15(29):914–9.CrossRef
38.
Gross DP, Battie MC. Predicting timely recovery and recurrence following multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with compensated low back pain. Spine. 2005;15(30):235–40.CrossRef
39.
Ilmarinen J. Work ability—a comprehensive concept for occupational health research and prevention. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2009;35:1–5.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Vittinghoff E, McCulloch CE. Relaxing the rule of ten events per variable in logistic and Cox regression. Am J Epidemiol. 2007;15(165):710–8.CrossRef
41.
Leeuw M, Goossens ME, Linton SJ, Crombez G, Boersma K, Vlaeyen JW. The fear-avoidance model of musculoskeletal pain: current state of scientific evidence. J Behav Med. 2007;30:77–94.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Suissa S. Immortal time bias in pharmaco-epidemiology. Am J Epidemiol. 2008;15(167):492–9.CrossRef
43.
van Walraven C, Davis D, Forster AJ, Wells GA. Time-dependent bias was common in survival analyses published in leading clinical journals. J Clin Epidemiol. 2004;57:672–82.CrossRefPubMed
44.
van Kleef E, Green N, Goldenberg SD, Robotham JV, Cookson B, Jit M, et al. Excess length of stay and mortality due to Clostridium difficile infection: a multi-state modelling approach. J Hosp Infect. 2014;18(88):213–7.CrossRef
45.
Frank J, Sinclair S, Hogg-Johnson S, Shannon H, Bombardier C, Beaton D, et al. Preventing disability from work-related low-back pain - New evidence gives new hope - if we can just get all the players onside. Can Med Assoc J. 1998;16(158):1625–31.
46.
van Duijn M, Eijkemans MJ, Koes BW, Koopmanschap MA, Burton KA, Burdorf A. The effects of timing on the cost-effectiveness of interventions for workers on sick leave due to low back pain. Occup Environ Med. 2010;67:744–50.CrossRefPubMed
47.
De Vet HCW, Heymans MW, Dunn KM, Pope DP, van der Beek AJ, Macfarlane GJ, et al. Episodes of low back pain: a proposal for uniform definitions to be used in research. Spine. 2002;1(27):2409–16.CrossRef
48.
Kongsted A, Kent P, Axen I, Downie AS, Dunn KM. What have we learned from ten years of trajectory research in low back pain? BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016;17:220.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
49.
Steenstra IA, Lee H, de Vroome EM, Busse JW, Hogg-Johnson SJ. Comparing current definitions of return to work: a measurement approach. J Occup Rehabil. 2012;22(3):394–400.CrossRefPubMed
50.
Steenstra IA, Koopman FS, Knol DL, Kat E, Bongers PM, de Vet HC, et al. Prognostic factors for duration of sick leave due to low-back pain in dutch health care professionals. J Occup Rehabil. 2005;15:591–605.CrossRefPubMed
51.
Huguet A, Hayden JA, Stinson J, McGrath PJ, Chambers CT, Tougas ME, et al. Judging the quality of evidence in reviews of prognostic factor research: adapting the GRADE framework. Syst Rev. 2013;2:71.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
52.
Turner JA, Franklin G, Fulton-Kehoe D, Sheppard L, Stover B, Wu R, et al. ISSLS prize winner: early predictors of chronic work disability: a prospective, population-based study of workers with back injuries. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008;33:2809–18.CrossRef
53.
van der Weide WE, Verbeek JH, Salle HJ, van Dijk FJ. Prognostic factors for chronic disability from acute low-back pain in occupational health care. Scand. 1999;25(25):50–6.
54.
Du Bois M, Szpalski M, Donceel P. Patients at risk for long-term sick leave because of low back pain. Spine J. 2009;9:350–9.CrossRefPubMed
55.
Heymans MW, De Vet HCW, Knol DL, Bongers PM, Koes BW, van Mechelen W. Workers’ beliefs and expectations affect return to work over 12 months. J Occup Rehabil. 2006;16:685–95.CrossRefPubMed
56.
Heymans MW, Anema JR, van Buuren S, Knol DL, van Mechelen W, de Vet HC. Return to work in a cohort of low back pain patients: development and validation of a clinical prediction rule. J Occup Rehabil. 2009;19:155–65.CrossRefPubMed
57.
Lotters F, Burdorf A. Prognostic factors for duration of sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders. Clin J Pain. 2006;22:212–21.CrossRefPubMed
58.
Fransen M, Woodward M, Norton R, Coggan C, Dawe M, Sheridan N. Risk factors associated with the transition from acute to chronic occupational back pain. Spine. 2002;27(27):92–8.CrossRefPubMed
59.
Baldwin ML, Butler RJ, Johnson WG, Cote P. Self-reported severity measures as predictors of return-to-work outcomes in occupational back pain. J Occup Rehabil. 2007;17:683–700.CrossRefPubMed
60.
Nordin M, Skovron ML, Hiebert R, Weiser S, Brisson PM, Campello M, et al. Early predictors of outcome. Bull. 1996;55(55):204–6.
61.
Franklin GM, Stover BD, Turner JA, Fulton-Kehoe D, Wickizer TM. Early opioid prescription and subsequent disability among workers with back injuries: the Disability Risk Identification Study Cohort. Spine. 2008;15(33):199–204.CrossRef
62.
Du Bois M, Donceel P. A screening questionnaire to predict no return to work within 3 months for low back pain claimants. Eur Spine J. 2008;17:380–5.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
63.
Prkachin KM, Schultz IZ, Hughes E. Pain behavior and the development of pain-related disability: the importance of guarding. Clin J Pain. 2007;23:270–7.CrossRefPubMed
64.
65.
Burdorf A, Naaktgeboren B, Post W. Prognostic factors for musculoskeletal sickness absence and return to work among welders and metal workers. Occup Environ Med. 1998;55(7):490–5.CrossRef
66.
Gross DP, Battie MC, Asante A. Development and validation of a short-form functional capacity evaluation for use in claimants with low back disorders. J Occup Rehabil. 2006;16:53–62.CrossRefPubMed
67.
Gross DP, Battie MC. The prognostic value of functional capacity evaluation in patients with chronic low back pain: part 2: sustained recovery. Spine. 2004;15(29):920–4.CrossRef
68.
Branton EN, Arnold KM, Appelt SR, Hodges MM, Battie MC, Gross DP. A short-form functional capacity evaluation predicts time to recovery but not sustained return-to-work. J Occup Rehabil. 2010;20:387–93.CrossRefPubMed
69.
Fulton-Kehoe D, Stover BD, Turner JA, Sheppard L, Gluck JV, Wickizer TM, et al. Development of a brief questionnaire to predict long-term disability. J Occup Environ Med. 2008;50:1042–52.CrossRefPubMed
70.
71.
Lambeek LC, van Mechelen W, Knol DL, Loisel P, Anema JR. Randomised controlled trial of integrated care to reduce disability from chronic low back pain in working and private life. BMJ. 2010;16(340):c1035. doi:10.​1136/​bmj.​c1035.​:​c1035.CrossRef
72.
Hooftman WE, van der Beek AJ, Bongers PM, van Mechelen W. Is there a gender difference in the effect of work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors on musculoskeletal symptoms and related sickness absence? Scand J Work Environ Health. 2009;35:85–95.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Systematic Review of Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Workers with Sub Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors
Ivan A. Steenstra
Claire Munhall
Emma Irvin
Nelson Oranye
Steven Passmore
Dwayne Van Eerd
Quenby Mahood
Sheilah Hogg-Johnson
Publication date
01-09-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-016-9666-x

Other articles of this Issue 3/2017

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 3/2017 Go to the issue

OriginalPaper

Effects of Inpatient Multicomponent Occupational Rehabilitation versus Less Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation on Somatic and Mental Health: Secondary Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial

OriginalPaper

Employees’ Perceptions of Social Norms as a Result of Implementing the Participatory Approach at Supervisor Level: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Erratum

Erratum to: Implementation Science and Employer Disability Practices: Embedding Implementation Factors in Research Designs

OriginalPaper

Who will have Sustainable Employment After a Back Injury? The Development of a Clinical Prediction Model in a Cohort of Injured Workers

OriginalPaper

Limitations to Work-Related Functioning of People with Persistent “Medically Unexplained” Physical Symptoms: A Modified Delphi Study Among Physicians

OriginalPaper

The Relation Between Catastrophizing and Occupational Disability in Individuals with Major Depression: Concurrent and Prospective Associations