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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-08-2013 | Original Article

Perceived physical exertion during healthcare work and risk of chronic pain in different body regions: prospective cohort study

Authors: Lars L. Andersen, Thomas Clausen, Roger Persson, Andreas Holtermann

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2013

Abstract

Purpose

To estimate the risk of developing chronic musculoskeletal pain in different body regions from varying degrees of perceived physical exertion during healthcare work.

Methods

Prospective cohort study among 4,977 Danish female healthcare workers responding to a baseline and follow-up questionnaire in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Using multi-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the risk of developing chronic pain (>30 days last year) at follow-up in the low back, neck/shoulder, and knees—among those without pain (0 days last year) in these respective body regions at baseline—from moderate and strenuous (reference: light) perceived physical exertion during healthcare work was modeled.

Results

Adjusted for age, BMI, tenure, smoking status, and leisure physical activity, strenuous perceived physical exertion during healthcare work increased the risk of chronic low back pain (OR 3.16, 95 % CI 1.79–5.57) and chronic knee pain (OR 1.87, 95 % CI 1.19–2.94) at follow-up among those without pain in these respective body regions at baseline. With additional adjustment for psychosocial work conditions, only the risk of developing chronic low back pain from strenuous physical exertion remained significant (OR 1.99, 95 % CI 1.02–3.88). Strenuous physical exertion was not a risk factor for chronic neck pain, and moderate physical exertion was not a risk factor for chronic pain in any of the body regions.

Conclusion

Strenuous perceived physical exertion during healthcare work is a risk factor especially for developing chronic pain in the low back. The possible preventive effect of reducing strenuous physical exertion should be tested in randomized controlled trials.

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Title: Perceived physical exertion during healthcare work and risk of chronic pain in different body regions: prospective cohort study
Authors: Lars L. Andersen
Thomas Clausen
Roger Persson
Andreas Holtermann
Publication date: 01-08-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0808-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Perceived physical exertion during healthcare work and risk of chronic pain in different body regions: prospective cohort study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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