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01-03-2008 | Original Article

Risk factors for back pain-related loss of working time after surgery for lumbar disc herniation: a 5-year follow-up study

Authors: K. Puolakka, J. Ylinen, M. H. Neva, H. Kautiainen, A. Häkkinen

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 3/2008

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the occurrence and the risk factors of back-related loss of working time in patients undergoing surgery for lumbar disc herniation. One hundred and fifty-two gainfully employed patients underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation. Two months postoperatively, those patients completed a self-report questionnaire including queries on back and leg pain (VAS), functional capacity (Oswestry disability index—ODI, version 1.0), and motivation to work. After 5 years, lost working time was evaluated by means of a postal questionnaire about sick leave and disability pensions. The cumulative number of back pain-related days-off work was calculated for each patient. All 152 patients, 86 men and 66 women, were prescribed sick leave for the first 2 months. Thereafter, 80 (53%) of them reported back pain-related sick leave or early retirement. A permanent work disability pension due to back problems was awarded to 15 (10%) patients, 5 men (6%) and 10 women (15%). Median number of all work disability days per year was 11 (interquartile range [IQR] 9–37); it was 9 days (IQR 9–22) in patients with minimal disability (ODI score 0–20) at 2 months postoperatively and 67 days (IQR 9–352) in those with moderate or severe disability (ODI > 20; P < 0.001). The respective means were 61, 29, and 140 days/year. Multivariate analysis showed ODI > 20, leg pain, and poor motivation to work to be the risk factors for extension of work disability. Results of the present study show that after the lumbar disc surgery, poor outcome in questionnaire measures the physical functioning (ODI) and leg pain at 2 months postoperatively, as well as poor motivation to work, are associated with the loss of working time. Patients with unfavourable prognosis should be directed to rehabilitation before the loss of employment.

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Title: Risk factors for back pain-related loss of working time after surgery for lumbar disc herniation: a 5-year follow-up study
Authors: K. Puolakka
J. Ylinen
M. H. Neva
H. Kautiainen
A. Häkkinen
Publication date: 01-03-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0552-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Risk factors for back pain-related loss of working time after surgery for lumbar disc herniation: a 5-year follow-up study

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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